English: Chestnut-headed bee-eaterBinomial: Merops leschenaultiSinhala: 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. ...

English: Sri Lankan Pipe SnakeBinomial: Cylindrophis maculatusSinhala: 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 ...

English: Moore's shrub frog Binomial: Pseudophilautus mooreorumSinhala: 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 ...

English: Yelllow WaxtailBinomial: Ceriagrion coromandelianumWidely 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.

English: Bee OrchidBinomial: Cottonia peduncularisCottonia 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.

English: common tassel fernBinomial: Huperzia phlegmaria/Lycopodium phlegmariaSinhala: 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.

English: Dawn Dropwing Binomial: Trithemis auroraDawn 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.

English: Square-tailed Black bulbulBinomial: Hypsipetes ganeesa humiiSinhala: 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.

English: Small Salmon ArabBinomial: Colotis amata modestaSmall 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.

Binomial: Habenaria criniferaSinhala: 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.

English: Eurasian spoonbillBinomial: Platalea leucorodiaSinhala: යුරාසියා හැඳිඅලවා/Yurasiya handialawaEurasian 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. ...

Binomial Name: Perbrinckia scansorPerbrinckia 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 ...

English: Grey heronBinomial: Ardea cinereaSinhala: 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.

English: Horton Plains shrub frogBinomial: Pseudophilautus altoSinhala: 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 ...

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 ...

Binomial: Diploprora championiEnglish: Champion's DiploproraDiploprora 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

English: Medus BrownBinomial: Orsotriaena medusMedus Brown is a butterfly found in many Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Host plants of this butterfly belongs to Poaceae family. Above photographs were taken at Makandawa rainforest forest, Kithulgala.

English: Sri Lanka scimitar babblerBinomial Name: Pomatorhinus melanurus melanurusSinhala: දෑකැති දෙමලිච්චා/දෑ-දෙමලිච්චා[Dekathi demalichcha/De demalichcha]Sri Lanka scimitar babbler is an endemic bird found in Sri Lanka. It has been distributed in all zones of the country. This bird can be observed in mixed species feeding flocks of Sinharaja. Above photograph was taken at Sri Pada, Peak Wilderness sanctuary in April. ...

English: Green’s GemBinomial: Libellago greeniAn endemic and common damselfly found in lowland and hill country of Sri Lanka. Male can be identified easily by bright orange colored abdomen. Above photographs were taken close to a rever at Gilimale forest reserve in April. Reference: Dragonflies of Sri Lanka - Matjaž Bedjaniè, Karen Conniff, Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne

English: Triangle SkimmerBinomial Name: Orthetrum triangulare triangulareTriangle Skimmer is a widely distributed dragonfly in may Asian countries. It is common in montane and hilly areas such as Horton national park. Above photographs were taken at Hakgala botanical gardens, which is good place to observe this dragonfly in Sri Lanka. IUCN Red List status is 'Least Concern'.