Whistling lizard (Calotes liolepis)

English: Whistling lizard
Sinhala:සිවුරුහඬලන කටුස්සා[Siwuruhandalana katussa]
Binomial: Calotes liolepis

Whistling lizard, සිවුරුහඬලන කටුස්සා (Calotes liolepis) is an endemic species of lizards distributed in wet and intermediate zones from sea level up to 800m. It was given the name ‘Whistling lizard’ due to the high pitched whistling sound they make when disturbed. Since the Calotes liolepis was first described by Bolenger; 1885, it was considered that there is an only one single species distributed throughout the country until further research was done. But now it is said that the liolepis group consists of three distinct species namely, Calotes manamendrai from Knuckles region, Calotes desilvai from Rakwana mountains and the species living in areas like Sinharaja, Galle, Kandy and Ritigala as Calotes liolepis. It falls under ‘Endangered’ category in the IUCN red list and the habitat destruction is the main threat.