Snakes & Crocodiles in Sri Lanka
Reptiles of Sri Lanka
This is a list of reptiles of Sri Lanka. The reptilian diversity in Sri Lanka is higher than the … Among snakes, 54 are endemic to Sri Lanka. The total … Apart from them, Sri Lanka is home to two species of crocodiles
Crocodiles in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is home to around 2,500 to 3,500 saltwater crocodiles, more than half of which are found in national parks. Though not as common here as the mugger crocodile
Snakes in Sri Lanka
Crocodiles in Sri Lanka
Mugger Crocodile
This species is found in freshwater habitats including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, hill streams, village ponds and man-made tanks. It may also be found in coastal saltwater lagoons. This species is a hole-nesting species.
Types of Crocodiles
Sri Lanka has two species of crocodiles. One is the Mugger or Marsh crocodile known specifically as Crocodylus palustris. It is known as the Geta Kimbula in Sinhala. The other is the Saltwater or Estuarine crocodile with the specific name Crocodylus porosus. In Sinhala it is known as the Hela Kimbula.
Saltwater Crocodiles
The largest reptile on Earth, the saltwater croc (Crocodylus porosus), known as geta kimbula in Sinhalese, can grow to lengths surpassing 6 meters (20 feet). This prehistoric creature is the apex predator of riverine ecosystems
Snakes in Sri Lanka
Venomous Snakes
Russell’s viper and saw scaled viper are true vipers found in Sri Lanka. Russell’s viper bites have resulted in the most number of fatal envenoming incidents in Sri Lanka.
Types of Snakes
Snakes dwell in – house section of the Reptilian. Russell’sviper, Sri Lankan Cobra (Naja naja), Common Krait , Ceylon Krait and Hump Nosed Viper are found in the zoo out of the seven species of highly poisonous snakes in Sri Lanka.
Attractive Snakes
Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus) is a moderately venomous snake endemic to Sri Lanka. It is one of the most colourful and attractive snakes in Sri Lanka.