Surrounded
by sea on all sides and blessed with thundering water falls and more than
100 rivers meandering between the bosky banks, Sri Lanka is home to a rich
variety of aquatic life. Of these, the amphibians and the reptiles account
for the highest number of endemic species. Of the 107 species of fish found
in the island, most have found a safe heaven in the marshes and the rivers.
The trout was introduced by the British into the streams rippling down the
Horton Plains. It is possible that the largest number of endemic amphibians
in the world may soon be found in Sri Lanka, going by recent research
reports. At present, out of the total 54 species of amphibians found in
island, 33 are endemic to it. The Nannophyrus, an endemic genus with three
species, which live on rock ledges trickled by water is commonly found in
the wet zone.
Marine Turtles
Out of the eight species of marine turtles living today, five are spotted
in the sandy beaches in the southwestern and southeastern parts of the
island. They generally come to nest in the soft sand. Turtles can best be
seen at night time.
Stalking Dolphins and Whales
Whale watching is fast emerging as a favourite past time in Sri Lanka. Sea
expeditions to watch dolphins and whales in all their nuances are undertaken
off “Kirinda” and “Bentota”. Whales are also spotted
around the islands of Batticaloa, Weligama, Negambo and Chilaw. Generally
they are found 20 - 30 miles off the coast.
Commonly Seen Whales:
Common Blue Whales , Bryde's Whales , Sperm Whales , Killer Whales , False
Killer , Dwart , Melon Headed Whales, Cuvier's Beaked Whales. If you are
lucky enough you may have a glimpse of the Indian Blue Whale which is an
elusive creature.
Dolphins:
Spotted Dolphins, Spinner Dolphins, Fraser's Dolphins, Risso's Dolphins,
Common Dolphins and the Bottlenose Dolphins.
Common Marine Species:
The coral reefs host numerous species such as Rays, Eels, Clown Fish,
Porcupine, Moorish Idol, Unicorn and Moorish Angle. The common species
belonging to the families of Aroporidae (Staghorn Corals), Poritidae (Donnie
Corals), Mussidae (Brain Corals), Faviidae (Ster Corals) and Pocelloporidae
(Flower Corals) are also found here.
Fishing in the Deep Blue Sea
Some mind blowing experiences await the anglers in the island kingdom. The
vast expanse of seas have a profusion of game fish species such as Marlin,
Sail Fish, Wahoo, Spanish Mackerel, Grat Trevallie, Benito, Queen Fish
Barracuda, Grouper, Cobia and Tuna.
Water Sports
Sri Lanka offers a whole world of water adventures such as scuba diving,
underwater photography and fish identification.
Just have a taste of the island! It beckons everyone.
