Forsten's Cat Snake (Boiga forsteni). We found this wonderful snake at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka. - Asankeg Galgomuw/Creative Commons.
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Melursus ursinus or the Sloth Bear. Photo taken at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka, on 7/21/04/. Photo by Bodhitha.
The Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) is the only representative of the family Ursidae of the order Carnivora found in Sri Lanka. The generic name Melursus reflects the sloth bear’s great fondness for bees’ honey, for the animal is known to climb trees and endure attacks by swarming bees to reach the honeycombs. With its coarse and shaggy black fur, whitish muzzle and the characteristic whitish horseshoe-shaped mark on the chest, it can be easily recognized. It is the only bear that has long hairs on its ears. The shaggy black hairs are longest on the sides of the neck. It is a medium-sized bear with a stocky body, and to support it, the hind feet are plantigrade (the entire sole touches the ground). Each foot is armed with long, sharp, curved, non-retractile claws. The snout is mobile and nostrils can be closed at will, while the lips are especially long and protrusible. The sloth bear has the most unorthodox and unusual dentition as it lacks the inner pair of upper incisors - a specialized modification that enables it to suck termites or white ants like a vacuum cleaner. Continued..
Click images below to view in higher resolution. Yala is a great place to see wild elephants. Some can be very territorial and aggressive. As with any wild animal maintain a safe distance.
Photo by ~anuradha/License
Photo by prise69/License
Photo by ciamabue/License
Photo by ciamabue/license
Photo by clurr/License
Photo by Faslan/License
Dead trees in the marsh. Yala has some diverse and stunning scenery.Photo by prise69/license
David Behrens visited the Yala National Parkin 2002. Click the thumbnails below to view David's images at the original gallery on Pbase.
On a recent trip to Sri Lanka I had the opportunity for a one day visit Yala National Park (also known as Ruhunu National Park). All I can say is WOW! This is like a miniature African safari! The pictures shown are the results of only one day in the park.
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(Click to enlarge)
Sri Lankan Axis Deer - (Axis axis ceylonensis)
The Sri Lankan axis deer (Axis axis ceylonensis) or Ceylon Spotted Deer is a subspecies of axis deer (Axis axis) that inhabits only Sri Lanka. The name chital is not used in Sri Lanka, according to Wikipedia.
Photo by 3Neus
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