Animals in Sri Lanka

Small country – big experiences.

This is a good way to describe Sri Lanka, which despite its size offers a wealth of fantastic and unique culture, nature and wildlife.

Sri Lanka is a veritable paradise for animal lovers.

With its lush vegetation and varied landscapes, the island offers immense biodiversity and is home to many different animal species.

What animals can you see in Sri Lanka?

A tour to Sri Lanka gives you ample opportunity to discover the exciting wildlife in some of the country’s national parks and other natural areas.

But what animals can you see on a safari in Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka’s wildlife offers a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals, with up to 140 different kinds of mammals, 400 different species of birds, and more than 170 kinds of reptiles.

We’ve put together 10 animals that you might be lucky enough to see on a tour to Sri Lanka.

1. The Asian elephant

The Asian elephant is the “little brother” of the African elephant. It is quite a bit smaller, but is still a majestic sight.

There are several ways to spot the elephant in the Sri Lankan national parks.

Udawalawe National Park is said to house one of the largest populations of elephants in Sri Lanka and is home to up to 500 elephants.

If you travel between June and September, you may also see herds of up to 300 elephants in Minneriya National Park. They gather around the Minneriya water reservoir because they can find water here in the otherwise arid landscapes.

2. The macaque

Sri Lanka’s national parks are not the only place that you can experience wild animals.

The macaque often lives near monuments and temples, hence its nickname “temple monkey”.

The monkeys live in large groups, which is why you’ll often find many of them in the same place. The monkeys are not dangerous, but they are wild animals and can become intrusive or aggressive if you get too close.

So keep your distance and don’t feed them. That way, they won’t do anything, and you can look at them all you want.

3. The sambar deer

The Sambar deer is one of the largest deer in the world and is found in the forest areas of Sri Lanka.

Just as with other deer species, the male sambar deer have large antlers.

The deer live primarily in forested areas and can often be seen at waterholes or in grasslands in national parks such as Yala, Horton Plains and Udawalawe.

4. The peacock

The male peacock is perhaps one of the birds with the most impressive plumage.

As with many other bird species, the male peacock uses its colourful feathers to attract females.

The impressive bird lives in Sri Lanka’s rainforest, but can also be found in Yala National Park, for example.

5. The blue whale

Off the coast of Sri Lanka, you may be lucky enough to experience the world’s largest animal: the blue whale.
The impressive blue whale can weigh up to 200 tonnes and grow to a length of more than 30 metres.

There are several places in Sri Lanka where it is possible to see blue whales, including off the coast at Trincomalee and Mirissa. In Trincomalee, located in north-eastern Sri Lanka, the blue whale can be spotted between May and October. In Mirissa, located at the southern tip of Sri Lanka, you can go whale watching between December and April.

On a whale watching excursion, you may also be lucky enough to see sperm whales and dolphins, which are also found in Sri Lankan waters.

6. The Asian water monitor

The Asian water monitor is a kind of lizard.

There are many different types of monitor lizards and some of them live in Sri Lanka. One of them is the Asian water monitor, which can grow up to a length of 3 metres.

With its scales and long claws, the large animal is fascinating to look at and brings to mind the dinosaurs of the past.

The monitor lizards are found in Sri Lanka’s national parks, but do sometimes also roam the outskirts of cities, where you may also be lucky enough to spot them.

7. The Sri Lankan junglefowl – Sri Lanka’s national bird

As the name suggests, the Sri Lankan junglefowl has a lot in common with the chickens we know from home.

The males are the largest and have colourful plumage with a red and yellow crest. The females, which are quite a bit smaller than the males, are brown, allowing them to camouflage themselves better when sitting on their eggs.

The Sri Lankan Junglefowl might look familiar, but this one does actually live in Sri Lanka. And it’s the country’s national bird to boot.

8. The sloth bear

The sloth bear is a rare species of bear that lives in Sri Lanka, among other places. It has black, shaggy fur, from which its cream-coloured snout peeks out.

The sloth bear often also has a light brown marking on its chest in the shape of a “Y” or a “V”.

It is generally a solitary animal that comes out at night, which can make it difficult for travellers to spot. However, it is not impossible, so you might be lucky, as it lives in Yala National Park, among other places.

9. The water buffalo

The water buffalo lives both in the wild and as a domestic animal in Sri Lanka.

The large animal can weigh up to 1,200 kg, and both females and males have the large, recognisable horns. The horns grow throughout the buffalo’s life and provide effective defence from predators such as leopards.

Water buffalo have been used in agriculture for more than 5,000 years because their size and strength make them useful for transportation and harvesting. Their meat and milk are also used in food.

In Sri Lanka’s national parks, the large animals often gather in their herds around waterholes to drink water or cool off.

10. The leopard

The largest feline living in Sri Lanka is the leopard. There are no lions or tigers in Sri Lanka, although the lion actually adorns the Sri Lankan flag.

The absence of lions and tigers in Sri Lanka makes more room for the leopard. They would normally threaten its access to food and habitats. The leopards found here are also often larger than those elsewhere in the world, not to mention calmer, as they are at the top of the hierarchy of big cats here.

You may be lucky enough to spot the leopard in Yala National Park, which is said to be one of the best places in the world to see leopards. However, there are still no guarantees. The leopard lives alone, primarily hunts at night and is extremely good at hiding.

Experience Sri Lanka’s wildlife right up close

You can absolutely go on safari outside Africa, and Sri Lanka is a fantastic safari destination where you have the opportunity to experience the animals in their natural habitat.

Sri Lanka offers every opportunity for classic safaris in its national parks, not to mention whale watching, where you can explore the country’s many exciting marine animals.

Experience the breathtaking wildlife and lush national parks with us in Sri Lanka

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