WOrld Heritage Sinharaja Tropical Rain Forest and Tourism in Sri Lanka

fauna of sinharaja

Studies on the fauna of sinharaja have revealed that there is high degree of endemism among the butterflies,fish,amphibians,reptiles,birds and mamals are greater than 50%.There have been reports of sightings of a few animals in the eastern Sector.The most common deer species is the Sambhur The Monk deer and Barking deer are also found within the reverse.Leopards are very seldom sighted,but their frequent presence has been conformed by tracks and other signs.Badger Mongoose and the Golden Palm Civet have been occationaly sighted.The most commonly seen primate is the Purple-faced Leaf Monkey.Although the elephants said to be common in the past, there have not been reports of sightings during the last 15 years.

Out of the Birds recorded in the western sectorof the reserve,72% were resident non-endemic and 13% migrants.One of the most interesting and colorful spectacles to be foud in the Sinharaja is the presence of mixed species of foraging birds flocks,a phenomeon commonly found in rain forests total of 100 such flocks were systematically observed,and studies have revealed that some flocks contained 48 species including 12 endemic species.The rare endemic birds to be seen in Sinharaja are the Red-faced Malkoha,the Sri Lanka Blue Magpie,the Ashy-headed Barbbler,and the White-headed Starling and the Green billed Coucal the rarest of Sri Lankan birds.The Agamids are the best represented group of reptiles, the most common beign the Green Garden Lizard.Of special significance are the sightings of Calotes Liolepis an arboreal species,the rearest of all agamids found in the island.The only Tortoise recorded in the reserve is the Hard-shelled Terrapin,while of the species of skinks,the spotted skink can be seen often.Among the snakes The Green Pit Viper and Hump-nosed Viper are commonly found in this
forest and are endemic to Sri Lanka.