Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Ceylon Snakehead (Channa orientalis)
Ever seen those tile-like scales on the top of the head of a snake? Those are called cephalic (derived from the Greek word kephale… Read the note
Field notes
Stories from the field
Updates from our fieldwork, research, conservation projects and the wildlife of Colombo’s urban wetlands.
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Ceylon Snakehead (Channa orientalis)
Ever seen those tile-like scales on the top of the head of a snake? Those are called cephalic (derived from the Greek word kephale… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Black-naped Hare (Lepus nigricollis singhala)
There is a need to split hairs when it comes to identifying rabbits from hares (pun intended, by all means). We urge you to… Read the note
Fishing Cats Some roar, some purr: A purr-suit into the science of feline vocalizations
Cats, in all shapes and sizes, in all degrees of character, and in every perceivable habitat, represent an integral part of human existence. Nearly… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Pied kingfisher (Ceryle rudis)
Pied kingfishers (Ceryle rudis) are a minimalist's wet dream. They pack up so much suave and swag for a bird with a two-tone (which… Read the note
Conservation Kite strings: A silent killer
I have this one memory of which I am absolutely fond of. When I was about 8 or 9, I got to fly a… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius)
To understand how big an Indian flying fox (Pteropus medius) can be, you have to see one in person. Upon seeing one up close… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Sri Lankan Jackal (Canis aureus naria)
Being conscious about your health is a mighty good thing, and most seem to maintain this by engaging in morning or evening walks -… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus)
If you have ever been in a peaceful slumber, only to be suddenly woken up by what sounds like a bicycle bell on steroids…… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja)
Very few animals, very few, can even come close to the effect that the spectacled cobra (Naja naja) has on Sri Lankan culture and… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)
Ever been woken up in the middle of the night from a peaceful slumber, from what sounds like a parrot being strangled by a… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Greater Bandicoot Rat (Bandicota indica)
Chances of having a backyard garden of sorts is not so uncommon these days if you have the space - a beneficial trend of… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa)
Indian rat snakes (Ptyas mucosa) also known as Oriental rat snakes have this triggered “what the…” look, like always. It’s like when someone stole… Read the note
Conservation Urban Wildlife Series: Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)
Out of the seven species of kingfishers found in Sri Lanka, the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) has the second most widespread distribution. Even though… Read the note
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