FLORA AND FAUNA Sri Lanka has an abundance of exotic and varied natural riches and a long tradition of conservation rooted in its ancient Buddhist traditions, which teach kindness and compassion to all living creatures. The island can claim the world’s first wildlife sanctuary dating from the 3rd century B.C. Ancient rulers were also aware of the importance of forest conservation for ecological needs and large wilderness tracts were set aside as reserves for rain catchment and pest control purposes.

Sri Lanaka is home to 170 species of orchid, 74 of them found nowhare eles in the world   Customize tour packages for low rates, Accommadation in star class hotels to guest houses. Read more   Car Rental Service with Unlimited Mileage, Cost of fuel, Insurance Coverage and efficient back service Read more   Nature and bird watching tours guided by professional tour guides. Read more	Mammals Of the 86 species of mammals found in Sri Lanka, 16 of which are endemic to the island, pride of place goes to the majestic elephant. Other exotic species commonly seen in the national parks and sanctuaries include leopard, sloth bear, sambhur, spotted, hog and mouse deer, wild boar, porcupine, ant-eater, civet cat, jackal, mongoose, loris, giant squirrel and many varieties of monkeys, include the endemic Macaque, Purple-faced leaf Monkey, Grey Langur and the Shaggy Bear Monkey. Butterflies Sri Lanka harbours 242 species of butterflies, 14 of which are endemic. Most being found in the lower foothills, up to about 3000 feet above sea level. About 6 species live at elevation above 4000 ft.  A spectacular seasonal migration occurs in March and April; local folk-lore affirms that the millions of butterflies make there way to pay homage at Sri Pada, the sacred mountain which enshrines a foot-print of the Buddha, and also called Samanala Kanda, literally, the Peak of Butterflies.   The birds of Paradise The abundance of its bird life makes Sri Lanka an ornithologist ‘s paradise. Of its 441 recorded species, well over half are resident, with as many as 23 being endemic, occurring their natural state only in Sri Lanka. A further 3 species – Crimson-fronted Barbet, Black-crested Bulbul and Black-throated Munia have been proposed for inclusion in the endemic list. With endangered Red Data Listings, many of these endemics live in wet-zone and montane forest habitats.      Around mid August, the first flocks of about 170 migratory species arrive in the island. Large flocks of Sandpiper, Stilt, Plover, tern and kite fly over from Siberia, Scandinavia and Western Europe and settle along the lagoons of the eastern, north-western and south-eastern coasts Fish, Frogs and Reptiles  All major groups of vertebrates occur in Sri Lanka, with a high degree of endemism especially among amphibians and reptiles. Most of the 54 species of fish are mash and river dwelling varieties. Of these, the 14 endemic species comprising the beautiful aquarium fish of the Carplet group are restricted to the perennial wet-zone streams. The rainbow and brown trout found sometimes in the cold, clear streams of the high Horton Plains, were introduced here by the British colonial community in the 19th century. Among its numerous amphibians, one endemic genus, the Nannophyrs, with 3 species, is common in the hilly districts. This frog lives on wet rock ledges, with tadpoles also sharing this habitat. The National Geographic magazine recently rated Sri Lanka ahead of amphibians front-runners such as Borneo, New Guinea and Madagascar, with the discovery of a treasure-trove of over one hundred species of brilliantly coloured amphibians count of 38 species. None of the amphibians are poisonous to man. The island has a variety of reptiles, of which 75 are endemic. Of the two endemic species of crocodile, the commonest is the Marsh Crocodile. The beautiful Star Tortoise is the only land tortoise found here. All 5 species of turtles are protected by law. Only 5 of the 83 species of snakes are lethal, these being the Cobra, Russell’s viper, Indian Krait, Ceylon krait and Saw-scaled Viper and are rarely found in the built-up areas of city or village. Exotic & varied flora    To the botanist, Sri Lanka is a land of plenty, the country which has cherished the Sacred Bo tree at Anuradhapura, the world’s oldest historically documented tree, for over 20 centuries. Here plants are also treasured for their curative powers in its indigenous Ayurvedic medical system. Sri Lanka’s rich and diverse natural vegetation includes 3350 species of flowering plants, tropical, sub-tropical, lowland, montane, wet-land, wet and arid-zone species, of which 23% are endemic. The luxuriant undergrowth and tall majestic trees of wet-zone forest contrast sharply with dry-zone jungles and arid scrub-lands and talipot palms of the northern and eastern plains. In the highlands and mountainous areas, vegetation varies from the almost treeless Pathanas (grasslands) of the Moon and Elk plains, the dark Rhododendron wildernesses of the Horton plains plateau and dwarf cloud- forest of the Knuckles Ranges. Sri Lanka’s natural treasures include 170 species of indigenous orchids, of which 74 are endemic and 99 rare. Many of these may be seen in forest habitats such as Sinharaja and Horton Plains, in private collections and at botanical gardens. Sri Lanka has been famed through the ages of its fragrant spices and aromatics - cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, pepper, vanilla, citronella and sandalwood, which thrive in the wet-zone low-lands and hills. The Botanic Gardens at Peradeniya (near Kandy), Hakgala (near Nuwara Eliya) and Gampaha (near Colombo), offers fascinating collection of tropical and sub-tropical flora, which includes Orchids, Spices, Medicinal herbs, rare plants and other botanical specialties. There are more than 3000 species of plants, of these 25% of the flowering plants are endemic. Countries wildlife treasures can be viewed conveniently in its many National Parks and Sanctuaries. Among the most accessible and popular are Yala, Wasgomuwa, Minneriya, Udawalawa, Kaudulla, Horton Plains, Gal Oya, Lahugala and Wilpattu.