Hoffman's shrub frog (Pseudophilautus hoffmanni)

English: Hoffman's shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus hoffmanni
Sinhala: හොෆ්මන්ගේ පඳුරු මැඩියා[Hoffmange panduru madiya]

Pseudophilautus hoffmanni is an endemic species of frog restricted to the Knuckles mountain range of Sri Lanka. It is very similar to Pseudophilautus asankai which is an another shrub frog restricted to the central highlands of Sri Lanka. IUCN Red list status of this frog is 'Endangered'. Above photographs were taken in November, 2015.

Reference: Sri Lankawe Ubhayajeeven - Rohan Pethiyagoda/Kelum Manamendra-arachchi

Cymbidium bicolor

Binomial: Cymbidium bicolor
Sinhala: Visha duli

Cymbidium bicolor is a wild orchid found in low land wet zone forests of Sri Lanka and it can be seen in many other Asian countries. Mostly grows on the stems of trees. Above photographs were taken in March, 2015.

Tennent’s leaf-nosed lizard (Ceratophora tennentii)

English: Tennent’s leaf-nosed lizard
Binomial: Ceratophora tennentii
Sinhala: ටෙනන්ට්ගේ පෙති අං කටුස්සා[Tennentge pethi an katussa]

Tennent’s leaf-nosed lizard is an endemic species of lizard mostly restricted to the knuckles mountain range of Sri Lanka. Bearing a leaf like appendage on the end of the nose is the uniquely identifiable feature of this lizard. In the day time this lizard can be seen hanging vertically on tree trunks inside the covered forest.

Three-Spot Grass Yellow (Eurema blanda)

English: Three-Spot Grass yellow
Binomial: Eurema blanda

Three-Spot Grass Yellow is a butterfly found in Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Host plants belong to Fabaceae family. Above photographed butterfly was found close to a stream at the Kanneliya rain forest in June.

Long-snouted tree frog (Taruga longinasus)

English: Long-snouted tree frog
Binomial: Taruga longinasus
Sinhala: දික් හොඹු ගස් මැඩියා[Dik hombu gas madiya]

Taruga longinasus is an endemic species of frog restricted to the wet zone of Sri Lanka. It can be identified easily by very long snout and the elongated body. I observed them on trees about 1-1.5 meters above the ground level. The ground was wet and there were some slow running water streams close to their habitat. Observed calling sound was like 'Cruck-chus'. This frog makes bubble nests close to water to lay eggs and the tadpoles fall into the water below after some time. Above photographs were taken in Kalugala forest reserve.

Reference: Sri Lankawe Ubhayajeeven - Rohan Pethiyagoda/Kelum Manamendra-arachchi

Chestnut-headed bee-eater (Merops leschenaulti)

English: Chestnut-headed bee-eater
Binomial: Merops leschenaulti
Sinhala: තඹල-හිස බිඟුහරයා[Thambala hisa binguharaya]

It is a resident breeder in many Asian countries including Sri Lanka. It is more common in dry zone of Sri Lanka. They feed on insects and have a special ability of catching insects such as bees, wasps ect in flight. Above photographs were taken in Yala national park in June, 2015.

Sri Lankan Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis maculatus)

English: Sri Lankan Pipe Snake
Binomial: Cylindrophis maculatus
Sinhala: දෙපත් නයා/වටඋල්ලා[Depath naya/Wata ulla]

An endemic species of snake found in lowlands and the highlands of Sri Lanka. They are nocturnal and non venomous. If threatened, it curls the posterior half of the body by showing white colored underside to repel the enemy. This behavior might show that it has two heads which gives its Sinhala name, 'Depath naya' which has the mining of ’The cobra who has two heads'.

Moore's shrub frog (Pseudophilautus mooreorum)

English: Moore's shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus mooreorum
Sinhala: මූරිගේ පඳුරු මැඩියා[Murige panduru madiya]

It is an endemic species of frog restricted to the knuckles mountain range of Sri Lanka. Can be seen in cloud forests where there is a good forest cover. Green colored body is an adaptation for the arboreal life. This frog is very similar to the Pseudophilautus femoralis which is restricted to the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Habitat loss and agrochemicals has become the major threat for the existence of this frog. Above photographs were taken in November, 2015.

Reference: Sri Lankawe Ubhayajeeven - Rohan Pethiyagoda/Kelum Manamendra-arachchi

Yelllow Waxtail (Ceriagrion coromandelianum)

English: Yelllow Waxtail
Binomial: Ceriagrion coromandelianum

Widely distributed common damselfly found in Sri Lanka and some other Asian countries. It can be seen close to water reservoirs such as paddy fields and ponds. Above photograph was taken in Colombo district in October.

Bee Orchid (Cottonia peduncularis)

English: Bee Orchid
Binomial: Cottonia peduncularis

Cottonia peduncularis is a wild orchid found in Sri Lanka and India. It is given the name 'Bee orchid' since the lip of the flower resembles a bee. It is believed that the lip of the flower mimics a female bee sitting on the flower that leads to attract male bees, which helps in pollination. Above photographs were taken in March, 2015.

Common tassel fern (Huperzia phlegmaria)

English: common tassel fern
Binomial: Huperzia phlegmaria/Lycopodium phlegmaria
Sinhala: මහ හැඩයා[Maha hedaya]

An epiphytic plant found in wet zone of Sri Lanka. Grows well in shady and moist places. Above photographs were taken close to Makandawa rain forest, Kithulgala.

Dawn Dropwing (Trithemis aurora)

English: Dawn Dropwing
Binomial: Trithemis aurora

Dawn Dropwing is a widely distributed dragonfly in many Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Male is distinctly different compared to the female and they can be easily identified by bright crimson coloured body. Above photographs were taken at Kanneliya forest reserve.

Square-tailed Black bulbul (Hypsipetes ganeesa humii)

English: Square-tailed Black bulbul
Binomial: Hypsipetes ganeesa humii
Sinhala: කළු කොණ්ඩයා[Kalu kondaya]

Square-tailed Black bulbul is a resident breeding bird lives in forest patches of Sri Lanka. Common in wet zone. Most of the time it can be found in tree canopy with the loud unique call. Above photograph was taken at Sinharaja rain forest in February, 2015.

Small Salmon Arab (Colotis amata modesta)

English: Small Salmon Arab
Binomial: Colotis amata modesta

Small Salmon Arab is a widely distributed butterfly around the word. In Sri Lanka it is common in dry zone and arid zone. Above photograph was taken at Anawilundawa Sanctuary in June, 2014.

Habenaria crinifera

Binomial: Habenaria crinifera
Sinhala: නාරිලතා/ නාරිදේහ උඩවැඩියා[Narilatha/Narideha udawediya]

Found in India and Sri Lanka. Its Sinhala name 'නාරිලතා/[Narilatha]' is given due to the shape of the flower resemblance to the shape of the body of a women. Above flowers were found in the wet zone of Sri Lanka in the month of September.

Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

English: Eurasian spoonbill
Binomial: Platalea leucorodia
Sinhala: යුරාසියා හැඳිඅලවා/Yurasiya handialawa

Eurasian spoonbill is a widely distributed bird around the world. It can be seen in shallow muddy Sri Lankan wetlands of dry zone while searching for foods. This bird can be easily identified by the spoon like beak and the white colored crest. Above photograph was taken at Yala national park in June.

Perbrinckia scansor

Binomial Name: Perbrinckia scansor

Perbrinckia scansor is an endemic freshwater crab distributed in the wet zone of Sri Lanka. It is considered to be the only known tree climbing crab found in the island. Deforestation and habitat loss has become the main threat for the existence of this crab. Its IUCN Red List Status is ‘Least Concerned’. Above photographs were taken at Sinharaja forest reserve in January 2015.

Acknowledgement: Mr. M. M. Bahir

Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)

English: Grey heron
Binomial: Ardea cinerea
Sinhala: අළු කොකා[Alu koka]

Grey heron is a widely distributed bird found in Asia, Europe and African countries. It is a resident breeder in Sri Lanka. Above photographs were taken at Yala national park in June, 2015.

Horton Plains shrub frog (Pseudophilautus alto)

English: Horton Plains shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus alto
Sinhala: මහඑළිය පඳුරු මැඩියා/හෝටන් තැන්න පඳුරු මැඩියා [Mahaeliya panduru madiya/Horton thenne panduru madiya]

Pseudophilautus alto is an endemic shrub frog restricted to the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It is a common frog found in Horton national park. Above photographs were taken at Sripada peak wilderness sanctuary where the elevation above the sea level is about 1950m. IUCN Red list status of this frog is 'Endangered'.

Reference: Sri Lankawe Ubhayajeeven - Rohan Pethiyagoda/Kelum Manamendra-arachchi

Beddomea albizonata

Binomial Name: Beddomea albizonata/Beddomea albizonatus

Beddomea albizonata is an endemic species of land snails found in lowland wet zone forests of Sri Lanka. Green colored shell is an adaptation for the arboreal life. This snail can be mostly found on wet surfaces of rocks and leaves where the humidity level is high. Above photographs were taken at Kalugala and Makandawa rain forests. I observed that they are active when the environment is wet and if the habitat is getting drier they moved into the shell and hibernated like in the last picture.

Reference: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/research-curation/research/projects/tropical-land-snails/publications.dsml

Champion's Diploprora (Diploprora championi)

Binomial: Diploprora championi
English: Champion's Diploprora

Diploprora championi is a species of wild orchid found in Asian countries. In Sri Lanka this plant can be seen on tree trunks of lowland wet zone.

Reference: An Annotated Checklist of the Orchids of Sri Lanka, Samantha Suranjan Fernando and Paul Ormerod
http://www.orchidspecies.com/diplopchampionii.htm