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Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve
Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve is one of the three strict nature reserves in Sri Lanka, the only one in the wet zone. The reserve is an important although isolated cloud forest which supports a number of faunal species including some endemics. The area was designated a strict nature reserve on 25 February 1938. The reserve is adjacent to and contiguous with the Hakgala Botanical Garden which was founded in 1860. Physical features The Hakgala reserve covers an area of the altitude of which ranges from to at the summit of Hakgala peak. The reserve receives of mean annual rainfall with rain falling on 211 days of the year. The soil of the reserve consists of red-yellow podsols this is due to the bookly. The reserve is situated on the south bank of Sita-Eliya and includes most of the Hakgala massif. The name of this range is derived from several of the peaks being said to have the shape of an elephant's jaw. In the Sinhala language ''Hak'' is jaw and ''Gala'' is rock. Folklore Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Central Province, Sri Lanka
The Central Province ( si, මධ්යම පළාත ''Madhyama Paḷāta'', ta, மத்திய மாகாணம் ''Madhdhiya Mākāṇam'') is one of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka, the first level administrative division of the country. (The provinces have existed since the 19th century but did not have any legal status until 1987 when the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka established provincial councils.) The Central Province is primarily in the central mountainous terrain of Sri Lanka. It is the 6th largest province by area and is home to 2.5 million people. It is bordered by North Central Province to the north, Uva Province to the east, North Western Province to the west and Sabaragamuwa Province to the south and west. The province's capital is Kandy. The cities of Matale and Nuwara Eliya are in the Central Province. The province is famous for its production of Ceylon tea, planted by the British in the 1860s after a devastating disease kill ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sri Lanka Montane Rain Forests
The Sri Lanka montane rain forests is an ecoregion found above 1,000 m in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. Owing to their rich biodiversity, this region is considered to be a Biodiversity hotspot, super-hotspot within endemic hotspots of global importance. These forests are cooler than Sri Lanka lowland rain forests, lowland forests and therefore they have ideal conditions for growth of cloud forests. These Forestry in Sri Lanka, forests classifications tropical sub montane forest, tropical sub-montane and tropical upper montane. Half of Sri Lanka's endemic flowering plants and 51 percent of the endemic vertebrates are restricted to these forests. More than 34 percent of Sri Lanka's endemic trees, shrubs, and herbs can only be found in this ecoregion. Twisted, stunted trees are a common sight in these forests, together with many varieties of Orchidaceae, orchids, mosses and ferns. The trees of montane rain forests grow to a height 10–15 meters, shorter than the lowland rain fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sri Lankan Long-tailed Shrew
The Sri Lankan long-tailed shrew (''Crocidura miya'') is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is threatened by habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) is the process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. The organisms that previously inhabited the site are displaced or dead, thereby .... Description The head and body length of the Sri Lankan long-tailed shrew is , and the tail is long. It is brown above with gray at the base of hairs and is colored slightly lighter below. The tail is brown and longer than the head and body combined. References Mammals of Sri Lanka Crocidura Mammals described in 1929 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{whitetoothed-shrew-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Kelaart's Long-clawed Shrew
Kelaart's long-clawed shrew (''Feroculus feroculus'') is a species of mammal in the family Soricidae. It is the only species within the genus ''Feroculus''. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and southern India. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and grassland, and swamps. It is threatened by habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduction) is the process by which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. The organisms that previously inhabited the site are displaced or dead, thereby .... The species is named for zoologist Edward Frederick Kelaart. Head and body length is . Tail is long. Pelage cloe, soft, and short. Uniform ashy-black above, paler and glossy below. Forefeet almost white, very long and reddish claws. Tail covered by fine hairs as well as a few bristly long hairs. References Mammals of India Mammals of Sri Lanka White-toothed shrews Mammals described in 1850 Taxono ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ohiya Rat
The Ohiya rat (''Srilankamys ohiensis''), or Sri Lanka bi-colored rat, is a species of rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are rodents. They are n ... in the family Muridae. It is the only species in the genus ''Srilankamys''. It is found only in Sri Lanka where it is known locally as ශ්රී ලංකා දෙපැහැ මීයා in Sinhala. Description Head and body length is 15–18 cm. Tail is 19–21 cm. Steel gray above grading to pale yellowish gray on the sides. Underparts pure white. Tail distinctive. Dusky purple above, white below, the tip white all round. Head relatively large. Large ears pink inside. Eyes small, almond-shaped. Pinkish muzzle. Light-colored feet. References * de A. Goonatilake, W.I.L.D.P.T.S., Nameer, P.O. & Molur, S. 2008. . 2009 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mayor's Mouse
''Mus mayori'' is a species of rodent in the genus ''Mus'', the mice. Its common names include Mayor's mouse, highland rat, and spiny mouse. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. This mouse lives in tropical and subtropical forest types and wet grassland habitat. It is fossorial, seeking shelter by digging burrows. It is nocturnal. This species is widespread in parts of Sri Lanka but it faces a number of threats, including deforestation and domestic cats. There are two subspecies, ''M. m. mayori'' and ''M. m. pococki''. A recent study catalogued the parasites associated with subspecies ''pococki'': a mite of genus ''Echinolaelaps'', a tick of genus '' Ixodes'', and the sucking louse ''Polyplax spinulosa''. A new species of pseudoscorpion was found on the mouse, described, and named '' Megachernes kanneliyensis''. The mouse also carries the native Sri Lankan flea Flea, the common name for the order Siphonaptera, includes 2,500 species of small flightless insects that live as exter ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Toque Macaque
The toque macaque (; ''Macaca sinica'') is a reddish-brown-coloured Old World monkey endemic to Sri Lanka, where it is known as the ''rilewa'' or ''rilawa'' ( Sinhala: රිළවා), (hence "rillow" in the ''Oxford English Dictionary''). Its name refers to the whorl of hair at the crown of the head, reminiscent of a brimless toque cap. Taxonomy The generic name ''Macaca'' is from Portuguese ''macaco'', of unclear origin, while ''sinica'' means "of China," even though the species is not found there. There are three recognized subspecies of toque macaques: * ''Macaca sinica sinica'', dry zone toque macaque or common toque macaque * ''Macaca sinica aurifrons'', wet zone toque macaque or pale-fronted toque macaque * ''Macaca sinica opisthomelas'', highland toque macaque or hill zone toque macaque ''M. s. opisthomelas'' is similar to subsp. ''aurifrons'', but has a long fur and contrasting golden color in the anterior part of its brown cap. The three subspecies can be identified ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Purple-faced Langur
The purple-faced langur (''Semnopithecus vetulus''), also known as the purple-faced leaf monkey, is a species of Old World monkey that is endemic to Sri Lanka. The animal is a long-tailed arboreal species, identified by a mostly brown appearance, dark face (with paler lower face) and a very shy nature. The species was once highly prevalent, found in suburban Colombo and the "wet zone" villages (areas with high temperatures and high humidity throughout the year, whilst rain deluges occur during the monsoon seasons), but rapid urbanization has led to a significant decrease in the population level of the monkeys. It had traditionally been classified within the lutung genus ''Trachypithecus'' but was moved to the genus ''Semnopithecus'' based on DNA evidence indicating that is it more closely related to the gray langurs. In Sinhala it is known as ශ්රී ලංකා කළු වඳුරා ʌlu vʌⁿðura(Sri Lanka black monkey). Description In the purple-faced langu ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rhododendron Arboreum
''Rhododendron arboreum'', the tree rhododendron, is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a showy display of bright red flowers. It is found in Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Thailand. It is the national flower of Nepal. In India it is the state tree of Uttarakhand and state flower of Nagaland. Description Its specific epithet means "tending to be woody or growing in a tree-like form". It has been recorded as reaching heights of , though more usually tall and broad. This plant holds the Guinness Record for World's Largest Rhododendron. The tree discovered in 1993 at Mount Japfü in the Kohima District of Nagaland, India, holds the Guinness Record for the tallest Rhododendron at . In early- and mid-spring, trusses of 15–20 bell-shaped flowers, wide and long are produced in red, pink or white. They have black nectar pouches and black spots inside. Cultivation ''Rhododendron arboreum'' prefers moist but well-drained, leafy, humus-rich, acid pH ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Strobilanthes
''Strobilanthes'' is a genus of about 350 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, mostly native to tropical Asia and Madagascar, but with a few species extending north into temperate regions of Asia. Many species are cultivated for their two-lipped, hooded flowers in shades of blue, pink, white and purple. Most are frost-tender and require protection in frost-prone areas. Species ''Strobilanthes atropurpurea'' is a temperate species, native to eastern Siberia; it is cultivated for its purple flowers. ''Strobilanthes dyeriana'' (Persian shield) is a tropical plant native to Myanmar. It is grown for its dark green foliage with bright, metallic-purple stripes radiating outward from the central leaf vein. In proper conditions, it will also produce pale purple flowers. Persian Shield grows best outdoors in USDA zones 9 and 10, although it can survive in other zones as a houseplant given sufficient temperature, soil moisture and humidity. It has gained the Royal Hortic ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Undergrowth
Undergrowth usually refers to the vegetation in the lower part of a forest, which can obstruct passage through the forest. The height of undergrowth is usually considered to be 0.3 – 3 m (1 – 9 ft.). Undergrowth can also refer to all vegetation in a forest which is not in the canopy. See also *Forest floor *Understory In forestry and ecology, understory (American English), or understorey (Commonwealth English), also known as underbrush or undergrowth, includes plant life growing beneath the forest canopy without penetrating it to any great extent, but abov ... Forest ecology {{Botany-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Syzygium Rotundifolium
''Syzygium rotundifolium'' is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an .... References Flora of Sri Lanka rotundifolium Vulnerable plants Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Myrtaceae-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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