Hollow-snouted srub frog (Pseudophilautus cavirostris)

English: Hollow-snouted srub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus cavirostris
Sinhala: හිරිගඩු පඳුරු මැඩියා[Hirigadu panduru madiya]

Pseudophilautus cavirostris is an endemic species of shrub frog restricted to the wet zone rain forests where there is a good canopy cover. Mostly lives on mossy leaves of trees, stems and wet rock surfaces. Well camouflaged body makes it difficult to identify at once for their predators. physique is similar to Pseudophilautus schmarda and to Pseudophilautus decoris who's distribution is restricted to the central highlands and to the Rakwana highlands respectively. But the population of p.cavirostris has been extended to lowland rain forests also. IUCN Red List status of this frog is 'Endangered'. Habitat loss and agro-chemicals are considered to be the main threats for the existence of this frog.

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

Pethiyagoda’s Crestless Lizard (Calotes pethiyagodai)

Male

Male

Female

Female

English: Pethiyagoda’s Crestless Lizard
Binomial: Calotes pethiyagodai
Sinhala: පෙතියාගොඩගේ නොසිලු කටුස්සා[Pethiyagodage nosilu katussa]

Pethiyagoda’s Crestless Lizard is an endemic species of lizards found in Sri Lankan highlands. Population of this newly described species(2014) has been restricted to the higher elevations of Knuckles mountain range(>900 meters). Species name pethiyagodai was given for this lizard to honor Mr. Rohan Pethiyagoda for his contribution for the conservation of biodiversity of the country. Above photographs were taken at Knuckles mountain range in November, 2015.

References:
https://window2nature.wordpress.com/2014/04/11/garden-lizard-gains-an-elite-relative-from-knuckles/ http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2014/f/z03785p078f.pdf

Pink Skimmer (Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum)

English: Pink Skimmer
Binomial: Orthetrum pruinosum neglectum

It is a widely distributed dragonfly in many Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Few sub species of this dragonfly have been identified and the one found in Sri Lanka is O. p. neglectum. It is more similar to Orthetrum chrysis. But the abdomen of Orthetrum pruinosum is less brighter compared to its relative, Orthetrum chrysis. Above photographed one was observed close to a swampy pond at Hakgala Botanical gardens in April, 2015.

Reference: Dragonflies of Sri Lanka - Matjaž Bedjaniè, Karen Conniff, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)

English:Purple Heron
Binomial: Ardea purpurea
Sinhala: කරවල් කොකා[Karawal koka]

Purple Heron is a resident breeder in Sri Lanka and has a waste global distribution around the world. In Sri Lanka, it has been distributed in both dry zone and in the wet zone. But common in wet lands of dry zone. Above photosgraph was taken at Yala national park.

Pug-nosed shrub frog (Pseudophilautus silus)

English: Pug-nosed shrub frog
Binomial: Pseudophilautus silus
Sinhala: මුක්කං හොඹු ඇති පඳුරු මැඩියා[Mukkan hombu athi panduru madiya]

Pug-nosed shrub frog is an endemic species of frogs restricted to the central highlands of Sri Lanka. It can be seen in covered forest and also close to human habitats. Latin species name of this frog, 'silus' has the meaning of 'Pug-nosed'. Above photographs were taken at Sripada, Peak wilderness sanctuary and in Welimada where elevation above the sea level is about 1450m and 1100m respectively.

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

Sri Lanka wood pigeon (Columba torringtoniae)

English: Sri Lanka wood pigeon
Binomial: Columba torringtoniae
Sinhala: මයිලගොයා[Manilagoya]

Sri Lanka wood pigeon is an endemic species of birds found mostly in the highlands of Sri Lanka. Horton national park is a common place to observe this bird. Above photo was taken at Knuckles mountain range.

Spotted Bowfinger Gecko (Cyrtodactylus triedrus)

English: Spotted Bowfinger Gecko
Binomial: Geckoella triedrus
Sinhala: පුල්ලි වක් නිය හූනා[Pulli wak niya hoona]

Spotted Bowfinger Gecko is an endemic species of gecko found in lowlands and in the midhills below 700m above the sea level. It is nocturnal. IUCN Red list status is 'Near Threatened'.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geckoella_triedrus