Nature

Sinhalese: Aliya, Atha (tusker) Tamil: Yanei Description: The average height of an adult male is about 2.5 meters at the shoulder, although in rare instances, they have been known to reach 3 meters. The female is about 15 cm shorter. If the circumference of the fore-foot is measured and then doubled, it will give an approximate height of the elephant. A very few males have tusks, the females never grow them, but occasionally both sexes may have small tushes which are really the incisor teeth. The elephant has 6 sets of teeth which continue growing throughout its 60-70 years of life. The new teeth come from the back and push the old teeth forward where they are worn down by the continuous chewing. When the final set has been used, the elephant’s life is at an end as it can no longer feed itself. In the prime of life an elephant can weight as much as 3,000 kg. Distribution: Elephants are found in the jungle areas of the island. These are mostly in the northern, easter...

Sinhalese: Wal Mee-Haraka, Mee-Haraka, Wal-Meema Tamil: Kadu-Madu, Kadu-Errume Description: The wild Buffalo is generally larger and darker than the domesticated type, standing about 150 cm at the shoulder and weighting about 900 kg. Their life-span is about 20 years. The adult is dark grey with very little hair, while the young are covered with thick brownish hair. Distribution: The wild buffalo is found only in the more remote of the low country dry zone. Most of the herds seen are feral, or domesticated stock. Habits: The females and their calves generally tend to from herds, but the older bulls are more solitary and territorial. They like to spend the day wallowing in muddy water-holes quietly chewing the cud, and feeding on grasses and herbs during the cool of the evening, at night and early morning. Their sense of smell is excellent, and their hearing and sight good. Breeding: The gestation period lasts for 10 months, and usually one calf is born; somet...

Sinhalese: Wal-ura. Tamil: Kadu-pandi. Description: A large adult male can grow to the height of almost 90 cm at the shoulder, considerably bigger than a female which is about 60 cm. The hair is very coarse and except for the mane along the spine of the older males, is rather sparse. “Tushes” of, perhaps, 18-20 cm are also found on old boars. The young are browner and have longitudinal stripes. Distribution: Found throughout the island wherever they can hold their own against the advances of man. In some locations it is an agricultural pest and is not therefore a protected animal. Habits: The females and young live in family parties, known as “sounders”, but the old boars are usually solitary or form small bachelor groups. They love marshy areas where they can wallow in the mud or root around searching for tubers etc. with much grunting and squealing. The wild boar is mainly vegetarian, but occasionally feeds on carrion, insects, snakes, ground birds, turtle’s e...

Sinhalese: Walaha, walahinna Tamil: Karadee Description: The average height of the adult male is about 90 cm at the shoulder, and the female 60 cm. They weight about 75 to 100 kgs. They have strong, powerful, fore-quarters, with long inwardly curved claws on the fore-feet which gives them a rather shuffling walk. They can, however move very fast when the need arises. Their black fur is particularly long and shaggy on the shoulders. Distribution: Bears are found in the forested areas of the low country dry zone. They have, however, been known to wander further afield during severe droughts, looking for water. Habits: Bears are normally found solitary, in pairs, or family groups of female with her cubs, and in captivity have been known to live for 21 years. They are extremely dangerous, attacking on sight, and this is probably due to their poor eye-sight and hearing which causes aggression at the sudden appearance of an imagined enemy. However, the sense of smell ...

Sinhalese: Kola-Diviya Tamil: Kadu-Poona. Description: This cat is a little smaller than a large domestic cat, being about 38-46 cm long over head and body. The male is generally larger than the female, and the fur is soft and smooth. Distribution: Found in small numbers throughout the island, frequenting jungle and scrubland. Habits: They appear to be solitary animals, found of climbing trees and usually nocturnal, spending the day lying up in some secluded spot. Their food consists mainly of small birds and animals. They have excellent eye-sight and hearing and a good sense of smell. Breeding: Usually 2, or possibly 3, kittens are born with their eyes closed. The female chooses a well concealed, dry, recess for the birth.

Sinhalese: Wal-Balala, Kalaa-Balala Tamil: Kadu-poona Description: This cat is a little less than twice the size of a large domestic cat, with a rather short tail, long legs and a few black hairs on the tips of its ears. The adult male tends to be larger than the female. Distribution: Found in very small numbers in open scrub jungle of the north and north-west as far south as Chilaw. Habits: They appear to be solitary animals, frequently moving about by day, and preying on small animals and birds. They are very fierce and almost untamable. Their hearing and eye-sight are excellent, and sense of smell good. Breeding: Very little is known, but there are probably 2 or 3 young born in a small concealed retreat amongst some rocks.

Sinhalese: Handun-Diviya Tamil: Koddy-Pulli Description: This cat is about the size of a large domestic cat and its fur is short and coarse. The colour varies, some being much darker than others, and the adult male is larger than the female. Distribution: Found in small numbers throughout the island except in the far north, frequenting jungles, scrub land and grassy swamps. Habits: They appear to be solitary animals, seldom climbing trees, and feeding on any animal, bird or fish they can catch. They are not entirely nocturnal, moving during the day as well, and can be very fierce and savage. Their hearing and eye-sight are excellent, and sense of smell good. Breeding: Very little is known in the wild, but it is probably similar to most wild cats. Breeds well in captivity.

Sinhalese: Diviya Tamil: Puli, Sarrugu-Puli Description: A large male can attain an overall length of about 2 meters; the female about 15 cm shorter. The black markings on the tawny coat are in the form of rosettes, and very occasionally referred to as a Black Panther. Distribution: Leopards are found in jungle areas throughout the island wherever they are undisturbed. Habits: The leopard is normally a solitary animal who wanders throughout its designated territory in search of prey. It hunts mostly during the evening or night, but sometimes in the day, and its main food appears to be the deers, sambhur, monkey and other small animals which it stalks or ambushes. Leopards have very acute hearing and eye-sight, but their sense of smell is poor, and their call, often heard at night, is similar to the sound of a person sawing wood. They have been known to live for 20 years in captivity. Breeding: The gestation period lasts for about 13 weeks, and normally 2-3 yo...

Sinhalese: Gona Tamil: Marrei or Komboo-marrei (stags) Description: This is the largest deer in the island, the adult male averaging about 137 cm at the shoulder; the female being considerably smaller. They have a coarse, shaggy coat, and only the stags have antlers. These grow to an average length of about 68 cm. and are usually shed once the rutting period has passed. The new antlers are covered with a very sensitive skin called “velvet” , which dies and peels off once the antlers are fully formed. Distribution: Found throughout the island wherever there are thick forests and jungles. Habits: Sambhur are solitary animals, but occasionally very small groups of females and young are seen. They are very much an animal of heavy forests and feed on leaves, grasses and some fruits. They appear to be largely nocturnal, but where they enjoy full protection, they can be seen lying in the shade of some trees, or feeding in the open during the day. The stags love to wall...

Sinhalese: Tith-muwa Tamil: Pulli-mann Description: The adult male grows to about 91 cm at the shoulder, the female being a little smaller. Only the stags have antlers which can grow to a length of 91 cm, but usually average out at about 76 cm. at the end of every rutting season the antlers fall off and new ones grow, each set being longer than the last. While the antlers are growing, they are covered in a very sensitive skin called ‘velvet’ which eventually dies and is rubbed off by the stag once the antlers attain their full length and hardness. At this stage the stag moults his light coloured coat and grows a beautiful dark one. And rutting starts. Distribution: Found in open jungle areas of the low-lands and foothills of the dry zone. Now-a-days they are mostly confined to National Parks and reserves. Habits: This deer is gregarious forming herds of anything from 6 to 100 of stags, hinds and their young. Sometimes the stags will form small groups of their ...

Sinhalese: Olu-Muwa, Welli-Muwa. Tamil: Mann, Sembli-Mann or Pulatar-Mann. Description: The adult male grows to about 60 cm at the shoulder; the female being about 45 cm. Their color is overall reddish brown and the buck has small antlers, and “tushes” which project about 1 cm from the upper jaw. Distribution: Found in the jungle areas throughout most of the island, but seems to prefer the lower hills. Habits: This little deer is very nervous and timid, and where it is persecuted by man, has become nocturnal. It is a solitary animal, seen singly or in pairs, and never far from cover. Its senses of smell, hearing and eye-sight are excellent, and its food consists of grasses and leaves. During the mating period, or when alarmed, it sometimes barks like a dog, and hence its common name. Breeding: The gestation period is about 6 months, and normally one young is born; sometimes two.

Sinhalese: Meeminna,Capita-meeminna or Wal miya Tamil: sarrugu-mann or Ukkulam Description: The mouse-deer stands about 20 cm at the shoulder and the females Appear to be slightly larger then the males. They have a rounded little body with Very slender legs, and neither sex has antlers. In the males, the upper canine teeth From small visible tushes. Distribution: Found in the jungles throughout the lowlands and lower hills. Habits: The mouse-deer is mainly nocturnal spending the day lying up in some Secluded patch of under growth. it is very timid, she and solitary animal. If chased By an enemy, it has the ability to scramble up small creeper covered trees, or Inside a large hollow tree trunk, to hide. They on grasses, leaves, fruits and berries. Breeding: The female gives birth to one or maybe two young, in a secluded crevice among rocks and undergrowth, or in a hollow tree trunk.

Sinhalese: Dhara Pimbura, Ran Pimbura, Pimbura Tamil: Periya Pambu, Malai Pambu, Kaloodai Viriyan. Description: A huge snake which can grow to 8 meters, but usually average about 5.5 meters. Pythons have teeth, a very sensitive tongue, and jaws which can separate to enable them to swallow large prey. Distribution: Found in the jungles of the low country; occasionally in the lower hills hills and often near water. Habits: The python is diurnal, nocturnal and solitary. They swim well, can climb trees and are not venomous. Their food consists of small to medium sized animals which they catch using their teeth, kill by constriction and swallow whole once once the prey is dead. If the meal is substantial the python does not need to feed again for 4 or more months. They have good sight over short distances, are deaf, but can feel vibrations through the ground. Their extremely sensitive tongues can sense loud noises and convey smells to the scent organ in the roof of t...

Sinhalese: Thalagoya Tamil: Udumbu Description: This monitor has a general color of brownish-grey with some dark speckling. They have long, forked tongues, and grow to an average overall length of 138 cm. Distribution: Found throughout the lowlands and lower hills, preferring the dry zone. Habits: These monitors are normally solitary and diurnal, spending the night in a burrow. They are good tree climbers, and if per sued can drop to the ground from a height of about 14 meters. They spend much of the day digging and foraging for the snails, small vertebrates, crabs, frogs, eggs and young rodents on which they feed; they also scavenge. When the need arises they can swim, but they do not take to water as readily as the Water Monitor. These lizards are also able to raise their fore parts off the ground and stand on their hind legs and tail to fight and obtain a better view. As with the Water Monitor, their tail is a powerful weapon of defense. Breeding: The fem...

Sinhalese: Kabaragoya Description: This Monitor has a general color of dark grey-black with yellow markings. They have long forked tongues and grow to an overall length of 200 cm. Distribution: Found throughout the low country wherever there is water. Habits: These monitors are solitary and enjoy pandanus groves near the seashore where they feed upon crabs, turtle’s eggs and sand rats. They also eat snakes, beetles, centipedes etc, and are useful scavengers. They are good but slow swimmers, and use their tail as a means of propulsion. As with the land monitor, they are able to raise themselves on their hind legs and tail when they engage in male to male rivalry fights or need to see over the undergrowth or long grass; their tails can also be used as a powerful weapon of defense. Breeding: The female lays between 9 and 25 oval soft-shelled eggs, in hollow trees or in holes near the river banks.

Sinhalese: Pita-gatteya, Gatta-kimbula Tamil: Semmukhan-muthelei Description: The Estuarine Crocodiles are olive-brown, suffused with yellow and spotted with black. They have been known to grow to about 5.5 meters. Distribution: Found in the estuaries of the larger rivers and coastal lagoons. Occasionally they swim round by the sea from one river mouth to another, but usually prefer brackish water to salt water. Breeding: The female builds a mound of dead vegetable matter about 2 to 3 meters in diameter and 1 meter high at the water’s edge, and lays her egg in the centre. At the same time she excavates two trenches on either side, in which she lies and guard the nest. The incubation period is probably about two and one half months. General Description and Habits of Both Species: Crocodiles have values in their ears and nostrils, and have a flap of skin at the back of the throat which closes and thus enables them to submerge with their mouths open. The Swamp...

Sinhalese: Hale-Kimbula, Ala-kimbula Tamil: Kulathi-muthele Description: The Swamp Crocodiles are greenish olive with dark markings, and have been known to grow to almost 4 meters. The Swamp Crocodile is depicted opposite. Distribution: Found in coastal lagoons, swamps and waterways in the low country. Breeding: The female digs a hole about 50 cm deep in a bank, usually of sand and lays anything up to 30 eggs. The older the female, the larger the size and number of eggs. The incubation period is about 60 days, and the mother guards the nest and the young when they hatch.

Sinhalese: Kiri Ibba Tamil: Pal amai Description: These terrapins grow to about 35 cm in length. They have a soft “shell”, a short proboscis and teeth that can give a good bite. Distribution: Found in swamp and water-holes of the low country, rare in the hills, prefers the coastal plain. Occasionally frequents slightly brackish water. Habits: These terrapins spend a lot of time basking on rocks etc. they swim well, can burrow under mud and can remain submerged for up to 20 minutes. Their food consists of frogs, fishes, crustacean, worms, snails, carrion etc. and at night they forage on land. Breeding: The female lays several batches of 2 to 6 round, hard-shelled eggs, within a few weeks of each other.

Sinhalese: Gal ibba, Goo ibba Tamil: Kal amai, Pe amai or Karuppu amai Description: There are 2 races of this terrapin which differ in size. The larger dry zone race grows to about 35 cm in length and the smaller wet zone race grows to about 25 cm. They are hard “shelled” and give off a rather unpleasant smell. Distribution: Found on waterways of the lowlands and medium hills. Habits: These terrapin spend many hours during the day basking on rocks and clods of earth beside reservoirs, water-holes etc. They swim very well, forage on land at night, are omnivorous and scavenge. Breeding: The female lays from 3-8 oval hard –shelled eggs.

Sinhalese: Mayvara ibba, Hooniam ibba, Vairan ibba, Tharuka ibba, Mukalan ibba, Makaral ibba or Vatekeya ibba. Tamil: Katu amai, Katu Petti amai Description: This is the only true tortoise in Sri Lanka and it is listed as an endangered species. The shell has a beautiful “star-like” pattern of brown and yellow, and the average length of the adult is about 25 cm along the under shell. Distribution: Found in scrub land of the low country dry zone, preferring the coastal areas. Habits: The star tortoise is a solitary animal, and on the whole crepuscular, spending the heat of the mid-day resting in the shade. They are fairly regular in their habits and retire to the same patch of shade every day. The food is mainly vegetable matter, grasses, fruits, flowers and sometimes the young of the West African Snail (Achatina fulica). They have excellent sight and smell, but it is believed that their sense of hearing is nil or almost so. Breeding: During the matin...

Sinhalese: Nariya Tamil: Narie, Kulla-Narie Description: On average the overall length of the adult male, which is larger than the female, is about 100 cm. It is very dog-like in appearance with a bushy tail. Distribution: Found in the wilder areas over most of the island, but prefers the lowlands of the dry zone. Habits: The jackal is often seen in pairs or small family parties. Although they are largely nocturnal in areas close to human habitation, they are often seen during the day in reserves where they enjoy full protection. They eat carrion and any animal they are able to kill, also some fruits and berries. In captivity they have been known to live for about 12 to 15 years. Breeding: The gestation period is about 60 to 63 days, and 3 to 4 pups are born. The female usually chooses a cavern amongst rocks or a hollow tree, or digs a short tunnel in a ravine.

Sinhalese: Hawa Tamil: Mussal Description: This is the only specie of this family found in Sri Lanka, there are no rabbits. The main characteristic of this hare is the black patch on the back of its neck. The length of the head and body is 45 to 50 cm. and the females tend to be larger than the males. Distribution: Found throughout the island in scrub and the surrounding grasslands. Habits: The hare is mainly, nocturnal, spending the day lying up in its “form” in some secluded place. In reserves where it is unmolested by man it is often seen during the day. They are solitary animals, only seen in a small group if the feeding is particularly good, and this consists of grasses and leaves. The senses of sight, hearing and smell are excellent, and when confronted by an enemy, they usually rely on their speed to make good their escape. Breeding: The gestation period is about one month and usually two young are born, sometimes only one. The young are born fully fur...

Sinhalese: Maha-Wawula, Loku-Wawula Tamil: Periya-vava Description: This is the largest bat having a wing-span of about 122 cm. The arms and legs from a framework for the skin which constitutes the wings, but the head and body are covered with fur. Distribution: Found throughout the island except in the highest hills. Habits: The flying fox is nocturnal, having excellent night vision; it has no means of echolocation. They roost during the day hanging upside down in the tops of large trees in huge noisy colonies of many hundreds. In the evening they leave one by one on their nightly foraging, returning at dawn. Their food consists of the juices and pulp of fruits and flowers, having chewed the flesh, the solids are discarded. Breeding: The gestation period is said to be about 140-150 days and one young is born. While it is still small, it accompanies its mother on her nightly flights, clinging to the fur of her breast.

Sinhalese: Ittawa, Panduru-Ittawa Tamil: Mallam-Pandi Description: The overall length of the adult male is about 92 cm, the female being a little smaller. The forepart is largely covered in coarse hair with a crest of long bristles, and the hind part and tail are covered by quills. Very rarely porcupines have been seen where the normal white part of the quills is reddish. Distribution: Found in the wilder areas of the whole island, but prefers the low country. Habits: The porcupine is entirely nocturnal spending the day lying up in some secluded rocky outcrop amongst dense undergrowth, or in a deep burrow. Sometimes two or more will share the same hillside, departing in different directions at night to feed on fruits, leaves, roots and bark. Their defense is to raise and rattle their quills, stamping their hind feet, grunting and charging backwards at the enemy. Breeding: The gestation period does not seem to be known and usually in Sri Lanka one young is born...

Sinhalese: Kabal-Lawa Tamil: Alangu Description: The overall length of an adult male is about 140 cm, the female being about 91 cm. They are covered with large overlapping horny scales, and the forefeet have long, stout, curved claws for digging. The tongue is very long and sticky, and they have no teeth. Distribution: Found throughout the lowlands and lower hills wherever there are termites. Habits: The pangolins are solitary and entirely nocturnal animals spending the day curled up in their deep, damp burrows which can be as long as 3 meters. Their senses of sight and hearing seem to be poor, but the sense of smell is excellent, being used to ‘sniff’ out the nests of termites upon which they feed. Having dug down, they use their eggs and larvae. Pangolins have prehensile tails and are good tree climbers, which enables them to rob the large leaf-nests of the big red ant. Their only form of defense is to roll themselves into a tight ball, which is held firm by v...

Sinhalese: Unahapuluwa Tamil: Thewangu Description: There are 4 races of the slender loris, each differing slightly in color and size. In two of the races, the female is larger than the male, and in the other two the sexes are similar in size. They range from about 18.5 cm to 25.5 cm and their fur is soft and wooly. Distribution: Found throughout the island in forests and jungles, but no-where common. Habits: The slender Loris is entirely nocturnal, and lives in pairs or singly. It spends the day curled up in a hollow branch or amongst the foliage. Their movements are slow and stealthy, and their food consists of small birds, insects, lizards, tree frogs etc. and occasionally fruit, but they never eat small mammals. Breeding: Very little is known. The gestation period is said to be at least 3 months, probably more and usually one young is born, sometimes two. They go everywhere with the mother clinging to the fur of her abdomen.

Sinhalese: Rilawa Tamil: Kurangu Description: There are three races of this specie each differing slightly in color, the mountain race having longer and thicker fur. The adult male is larger than the female being about 52 cm in the length of body and head, the female being about 41 cm, and both sexes have large cheek pouches. Very large males can weight up to about 7 Kgs. Distribution: Found in jungle areas throughout the island. This species is endemic to Sri Lanka. Habits: this monkey is gregarious, living in family troops of 20 or more, each group having its own territory. Of the two low country races, much of their time is spent on the ground grooming, playing and feeding, but the mountain race appears to be more arboreal. They are mainly diurnal and their food consists of fruits, seeds, flowers, leaves, insects, lizards and the eggs and young of small birds. Their cheek pouches are often put to good use, and when the need arises, they can stuff in an amazi...

Sinhalese: Kalu-Vandhura Tamil: Mundi Description: There are four races of this monkey, each differing slightly in color and size. Three of them, the low country races, have a white rump patch (2 nd picture) and the fourth, the highland race, or Bear Monkey, has no such patch (1 st picture). All have long dark grey fur and white whiskers. The bear monkey’s fur being longer and very thick. Distribution: Found in the wet zone forests of the lowlands and hills. One of the races extends into the dry zone as far east as the Mahaweli Ganga and north to about kokkilai. This is an endemic species. Habits: these monkeys are gregarious, living in family troops of anything up to 40 members, where there is always a dominant male. Most of their time is spent in the tree-tops, rarely descending to the ground. Here they find all their food. leaves, flowers and seeds. They are far more nervous than the grey langur and probably live for about 8 to 9 years. Breeding: The gest...

Sinhalese: Vandhura, Konda-Vandhura or Elli-Vandhura Tamil: Mundi, Mundi-Kukurangu Description: The average adult male’s length of head and body is about 70 cm and his weight is approximately 15 kgs. The adult female is considerably smaller being about 55 cm in length and approximately 7 kgs in weight. They have long tails, no cheek-pouches, and are light grey in color. Distribution: Found in the jungle areas of the low country dry zone. Habits: These monkeys live in family troops of both sexes of anything from 6 to 30 members. One of the old males will usually be the dominant figure, the rest holding their position in the hierarchy of the group. They spend as much time on the ground as in the trees, playing, grooming, resting and feeding. Their food consists of fruits, flowers, leaves and seeds and their main enemy is the leopard. In captivity they have been known to live for 10 years, but normally it is 7 to 8 years. Breeding: The gestation period is a...

Sinhalese: Lena Tamil: Anil, Sinna anil Description: There are 4 races of this Palm-Squirrel each slightly different in color and size. The overall length varies between 25 and 35 cm, and on average the males are slightly larger than the females. There are two other species of similar small striped squirrel which are much darker in color and are only found in the thick forests of the wet zone. Distribution: Found throughout the island in towns or woodlands, but not the thick wet zone forests. Habits: This squirrel is entirely diurnal and solitary. They seem to prefer living in town or village gardens to the open countryside. All they seem to need are trees, on which they can run up and down with remarkable speed. They are often seen feeding on the ground with a party of Common Babblers (Turdoides affinis). Their food consists of nuts, seeds, fruit, bark, flowers and young shoots and occasionally insects. In captivity they have been known to live for 5 years, but...

Sinhalese: Dandulena Tamil: Mali’anil Description: There are three races of this squirrel, each differing in color and size. The largest is the Highland Grizzled Squirrel, and has an overall length of up to 81cm. the next is a black and yellow giant squirrel which is similar in color to the one above but is pure black with no frizzling, and has an overall length of up to 78 cm. the smallest is the Common Giant Squirrel which is also depicted and has an overall length of up to 70 cm. Distribution: Found in the forests and jungles throughout the island. The Highland Grizzled Squirrel is found in the higher mountains, the Black and Yellow Giant Squirrel frequents the remaining wet zone and the Common Giant Squirrel is found in the low country dry zone. Habits: These squirrels are entirely arboreal and diurnal, and are most active during the early mornings and late afternoons. They are found singly or in pairs and have their own territories where they build 4 or...

Sinhalese:  Ugguduwa, Kalawedda Tamil: Maram nai Description: This Palm-Cat has a grey coat with some darker grey markings on the back, and a plain black tail. The adult male, which is larger than the female, has an overall length of about 1 meter. Distribution: Found throughout the island wherever there are rocks or trees. It is also found in town where it frequents the roofs of houses. Habits: This Palm-Cat is almost entirely nocturnal spending the day lying up in some secluded spot. It is an excellent tree climber and its diet is more vegetarian than the Civet-Cat, eating fruits and berries, but also insects, frogs, lizards, birds and small animals. in captivity it has been known to live for 14 years. Breeding: 3 or 4 young are born in a cavity in a large tree or amongst rocks, or in the roof of a house.

Sinhalese:  Kalawedda Tamil : Maram nai Description: A general overall rufous coat. The adult male, which is larger than the female, has an overall length of about 1 meter. Distribution: found in the hills and lowlands throughout most of the country, apparently preffering the mid-hills, where it lives in the forests and jungles, but nowhere is it common. This species is endemic to sri lanka. Habits: This palm-cat seems to be mostly nocturnal, but not altogether so. It is almost entirely arboreal, spending the day living up in hollow branch. It feeds on fruits and berries and any small animals, birds, insects, frogs and lizards that it catches. Breeding: Very little is known, but it is probably somewhat similar to the common Palm-Cat.

Sinhalese:  Urulava Tamil: Poolu poona, Veeregu Description: The civet-cat is easily identified by its black and white ringed tail and dark spotted grey body. The adult male, which is slightly larger than the female, has an overall length of about 84 cms. Distribution: found in jungles and scrub throughout the island except in the highest hills. Habits: The civet-cat is mainly nocturnal but not entirely so, usually spending the day living up in some patch of undergrowth. Its food consists of birds, small animals, insects, frogs etc, and also some roots and fruits. Breeding: The birth takes place in a cavity at the end of a short tunnel which is often dug in a bank, or under some large rocks or tree. 3 to 5 young are born.

Sinhalese:  Mugatiya or Ram-mugatiya Tamil: Keerie-pulle, Karrung-Keerie, Poo-Keerie or Pambu-Keerie Description: There are four races of this mongoose, each differing slightly in size and colour, but all are of a grizzled brown with no  color differences on the tip of the tail. The adult male is larger than the female, having and overall length about of 68 cms. Distribution: The 2 races from the hill country and wet zones are moderately plentiful, but the 2 dry zone races from the north and east are rare. Habits for all 4 species: The mongoose is mainly diurnal but not entirely so, and usually seen singly or in pairs, often trotting along with the end of its tail curved up. They have an insatiable curiosity and are always busy. When alerted, they sometimes sit bolt upright, presumably to see better. Their food consists small animals, birds, eggs, lizards, snakes, insects and occasionally fruits, roots and carrion. The Striped-Necked mongoose also ...

Sinhalese :  Gul-mugatiya or Loku-mugatiya Tamil:   Malam-keerie Description: This is the largest of the island’s mongooses, but it has a shorter tail and longer legs, the adult male having an overall length of about 81 cms. It stands slightly taller than the other three species and has a short black stripe on both sides of the neck, and a black tip to its tail. Distribution: Found in very restricted localities of the hills and lowlands of the dry and wet zones, usually near water and away from human habitation. Breeding: Usually 2 or 3 young are born, in a sheltered recess amongst rocks in the jungle.

Sinhalese :  Hotamba Tamil: Keerie or Seng-Keerie Description: This mongoose is more of a rufous brown than the brown mongoose, and tip of its tails black. The adult male is larger than the female having an overall length of about 81 cms. Distribution: Found in most districts of the low lands to mid-hills in the dry and wet zones. Breeding: Although nothing definite is known, this mongoose probably has 2 or 3 young in a hole in a termite hill or some other hidden recess. 

Sinhalese :  Mugatiya Tamil: Kirri, Kirri-pulle Description: This mongoose has a grizzled grey colored coat with a whitish tip to its tail. The adult male is much larger than the female having an overall length of about 78 cms. Distribution: Found in the low country dry zone, but more abundant in the north and east, uncommon in the south. Breeding: The gestation period appears to last about 60 days and usually 2 young are born. The female will normally dig her own hole for the birth.