National School Pannala
Grade 9
Scientific Name:
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Adult Weight:
165 - 353 pounds
Weight at birth:
4-8 ounces
Adult Body Length:
4-5 feet
Diet:
25 to 40 pounds of bamboo per day
Life Span:
18-20 years in the wild
30-35 years in captivity
Habitat:
Southwestern China
Although they once roamed over a
large portion of Asia, scientists
currently estimate the population
of the Giant Panda at only 1,600,
making Giant Pandas a seriously
endangered species. They are
found living in the wild in a small
area in Southwestern China along
the Tibetan Plateau. There are
approximately 300 in captivity in
reserves, zoos and wild life parks.
Four zoos in the US currently have
pandas; San Diego, Memphis,
Atlanta and Washington D.C. Giant
Pandas are also found in zoos in
Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand,
Taiwan, Mexico, France, Spain,
Austria and Australia. Zoos outside
of China must lease the animals
from the Chinese government. This
money is used for the preservation
of the wild Giant Panda.
In China's Han dynasty (206 BC – 24 AD), the highly prized
and gentle pandas graced the gardens of the emperors.
Pandas were believed to have mystical powers.
In 1869, Pere Armand David, a French missionary and
naturalist, was the first Westerner to describe a panda.
In 1972, when President Richard Nixon established
relations with China, the panda gained attention in the
United States. While visiting China, first lady Pat Nixon
commented to her host that she loved the pandas. In
response to this comment, the first panda was sent to the
National Zoo in Washington, DC as a gift from China to
Mrs. Nixon.
The panda is considered a "National Treasure" by the
people of China
Giant Pandas are classified as carnivores; however their diet is closer to that of
herbivores. A Carnivore is an animal that eats mostly meat. An herbivore is an
animal that eats mostly plants.
The Giant Pandas' diet consists almost entirely of bamboo stalks, shoots and
roots. They eat from 25 to 40 pounds per day. There are about 25 different
types of bamboo.
When available, Giant Pandas will eat fish, flowers and small animals. In
captivity they also receive milk, eggs, ground meat and specially formulated
vitamin bread. Apples and carrots are a favorite treat.
Since the Giant Pandas' digestive system is not very efficient, they must
consume large quantities of bamboo every day in order to obtain the nutrition
they need. Cubs are especially prone to digestive problems.
Pandas eat for up to 14 hours a day. Their unique paws make it possible for
them to hold the bamboo and bite the stalks. They generally eat in a sitting
position but also like to snack lying on their backs.
The puffy cheeks that make the Giant Pandas appear so adorable are actually
powerful muscles that enable the Giant Pandas to chew through even the
toughest bamboo stalks.
Unlike other bears, the Giant Pandas do not store fat and therefore do not
hibernate. Consequently, they are constantly in search of food.
One problem for wild Giant Pandas is that the bamboo species flowers and dies.
It then takes several years for the bamboo to recover. In the past, Giant Pandas
would migrate to other areas in search for new plants. Now, with their range
fragmented, this is often difficult.
Giant Pandas drink water from the rivers and streams in their mountain
environment.
Giant Pandas are known around the world for their unique black and white appearance. They resemble
other bears in their shape, but have very distinctive markings. All Giant Pandas have black patches
around their eyes and black ears on a white head. Their legs are black and there is a black band across
their backs. Their mid sections are also white. It is very difficult to tell Giant Pandas apart since their
markings are basically the same on all animals. Caretakers can identify individual Giant Pandas by
small markings around their mouth or muzzle.
Giant Panda fur is coarse, dense and somewhat oily. Their thick fur acts as a coat to keep them warm
in the cool moist climate of the mountain forests.
Unlike other bears, Giant Pandas are slow moving and seldom move faster than a walk. They appear
clumsily in their movement.
The front paws of a Giant Panda are very different from other bears due to a special
bone found in their wrists. Their sixth toe, an opposable thumb, is used for grasping
bamboo. They use this bone in the same way humans use their thumbs, mainly for
grasping food.
Giant Pandas leave scent marks in their
territories. The scent marks serve as a major
form of communication. Giant Pandas can
determine from the scent if another Giant
Panda is in the area, if the other Giant Panda is
male or female, how recently they left their
mark, and, in the case of females, if they are in
a reproductive period.
To mark their location, Giant Pandas will back
up to a tree and rub their scent glands on the
tree, then use their tail to spread the scent.
Some Giant Pandas, particularly males, will
back up on the tree until they are virtually
doing a handstand in order to place their
scent higher on the trunk
Latest research confirms adult Giant Pandas
are much more "talkative" than we
suspected and have the ability to make 11
distinct sounds. When guarding against
predators or other Giant Pandas, they will
huff, snort, chomp, or honk. If they're trying
to defend themselves, they will moan, bark,
or squeal. A growl or roar signifies the start
of an argument or fight. During mating
season they may emit a unique bleat or
chirping sound. Cubs make a very loud
squeaky cry.
The Chinese Pangolin
The Chinese Pangolin belongs to the burrowing family. It
can dig up to 8 ft deep (2.5 meters) in the ground with its
strong and clawed forefeet. It just takes the pangolin four
to five minutes to dig that deep. Once it enters the burrow,
it blocks the opening. Some Chinese pangolins occupy
burrows of other animals as well.
The Chinese Pangolin appears like a scaly anteater. From
head to body, it measures around 60 cm (24 inches) and its
tail measures about 18 cm (7 inches). A mature Chinese
pangolin weighs about 2.4 kg (82.72 oz). A new born baby
pangolin weighs about 93 gram (3.26 oz). It has 18 rows of
overlapping scales accompanied with hair, a rare
combination found in mammals. It has a small narrow
mouth and a little pointed head. Its nose is plump with
nostrils at its end. This is a bronze colored animal with a
round body equipped with extremely sharp claws.
The Chinese pangolin found in Nepal reproduces in the months of April and May
when the weather is a bit warm. The female gives birth to a single young one at a
time and the baby weighs about 1 lb (400 gm) and its length is about 45 cm (18
inches). The young one also has scales which remain very soft for two days.
Although the young pangolin can walk on its very first day, the mother carries the
baby on its back or tail. In case the mother feels threatened, it immediately folds
her baby with its stomach with the help of its tail. Male pangolins have been
noticed to show extraordinary parental instinct and allow the female and its baby
share the burrow.
The Chinese pangolin is a rather secretive animal. They are considered nocturnal
creatures and are extremely shy. They move very slowly and are known for their
non-aggressive behavior. Their hard scales work as a protection cover from
predators and when they feel endangered, they curl themselves in a ball. Chinese
pangolins are mainly terrestrial animals and are observed in forests that are about
20 feet high from the ground.
They mainly eat insects as termites and ants. Their sharp claws help them in
digging up the ants and termite mounds and with the help of their sticky, long
tongue (25 cm), they can draw their prey into their mouth.
In Vietnam and Hong Kong, Chinese pangolins are considered a delicacy and they are hunted on a
large scale only for this purpose. Now, Chinese pangolins are being protected in the forests where
they are generally found. Factors like habitat destruction and hunting constantly challenges their
survival. Since the forests they inhabit are difficult to patrol, hunters get a greater chance to hunt
these animals without being caught.
Many people view insects as a pest that must be destroyed. As
one of the earth’s oldest species, having existed for around
400million years, they are however a vital part of the food chain
and play a variety of key roles upon which we all depend. When
you consider that 90% of the world’s mammals are insects you
can begin to understand how life as we know it could not exist
without them.
One area where insects often earn themselves a bad name is in agriculture. Some
species of insect are known to damage and destroy crops. Beneficial insects however
prey on those who do the damage and so protect the crop by controlling pest
numbers.
Decomposition is an extremely important ecological function. Insects play a key role
in breaking down dead plant and animal matter, keeping the earth clean and
helping to return essential nutrients to the soil.
Insects play a vital role in pollinating our plants. Travelling from flower to flower
feeding on nectar they carry the plant’s pollen with them. Without insects many
plants would have no way of transferring their pollen and so would be unable to
reproduce.
Did you know that different frog species can be found
in a variety of habitats – from the depths of the
rainforest to home garden’s in the city. The common
shrub frog is an endemic species (existing only in Sri
Lanka) spread across a variety of habitats in the wet
zone, southwest of the island. Why not try tracking
and recording this and other frog species in your area?
Here are some key indicators to help you identify
different frog species...
Different frogs thrive best in different habitats. Some frogs are exclusive to only one
type of habitat whereas others can be found in many. The common shrub frog can
be identified in many habitat types including tea plantations, marshland, course
grasses, bamboo, secondary forest and even your home garden.
Different types of frog can be found in the same habitat but at different heights. Often the
frog’s appearance can give some indication as to where it lives as they camouflage
themselves to their environment to avoid predators. Frogs that live on tree bark for
example are usually brown coloured, often with rough looking skin that imitates the
texture of the bark! Look out for the brown/grey coloured common shrub frog in habitats
0.5m – 2m above floor level.
Butterflies are remarkable insects. Throughout their
lifespan (which can range from anything from a week to
a year depending on the species) they undergo huge
transformations. Butterflies live across a wide variety of
habitats from rainforest to home gardens. Why not try
tracking them to see how many species you can find. A
great one to look out for is the Blue Mormon; this native
species is the second largest butterfly on the island and
can be identified by its bright blue and black wings.
Often people try and catch butterflies in nets to get a better look at them. However you
really need to know what you’re doing as butterflies are extremely fragile. Touching their
wings for example can break important veins and leave them flightless. The best way to
track butterflies is to take a wander out into your garden or local area near lots of flowerin
plants and just have a look to see how many different species you can find. Why not try
spraying your hands with sugary water or leave some fruit in a dish in your garden to see
how many turn up for dinner. Another great way to increase your butterfly population is
to plant host plants, these are plants that are perfect for butterflies to feed from or lay their
eggs upon. The Blue Mormon butterfly likes to lay its eggs upon curry plants, why not try
planting one to encourage these beautiful butterflies to visit.
Sri Lankan frogmouth
Don’t be mistaken in thinking the frogmouth is, as its name
suggests, an amphibian. This animal is actually a bird found in
the dense tropical forests of Sri Lanka and parts of India. The
name frogmouth describes the bird’s wide head and gaping
mouth which it uses to catch insects. The females are often a
red colour with white freckles, and the males are greyer with
even more white freckles. They are nocturnal, meaning they
only come out at night. During the day they sleep perfectly
camouflaged upon forest branches, as a result they are
notoriously difficult to spot.
Sri Lankan frogmouths build their nests in the forked branches of trees anywhere
between 2 and 12 m off the ground. A very unusual characteristic of this bird is that it
only lays one egg! The single white egg is incubated by both parents, with the male
sitting on the egg during the day and the female at night. Once hatched the chick is
looked after by the parents for three weeks before flying the nest.
The main threat to these birds is habitat loss. The forests they live in are being
destroyed to make way for tea and crop plantations.
Toque Macaque
Ever seen a monkey with a haircut? If not, try looking
out for the toque macaque. This stocky little monkey is
an endemic species widely spread throughout Sri Lanka
and undoubtedly boasts the best hair-do on the island!
These monkeys nimbly climb trees foraging for a wide
variety of food including fruits, seeds, berries, crickets,
spiders and birds eggs – which they often keep in their
cheek pouches for later.
Toque macaque’s live in groups called “troupes” that
usually consist of about 20 individuals of all ages and
sizes, led by a single dominant male who protects and
leads the group. These troupes are commonly seen
hanging around ancient temples, as a result they are
often nicknamed “temple monkeys”.
oque macaques are becoming increasingly threatened by habitat loss. Their
numbers have declined by more than half in the last 40years. Despite this they
are the only endemic species of the island not protected by law.
Green turtle
Did you know, that out of the seven species of sea turtle
found worldwide, five can be found right here in Sri
Lanka? The green turtle is one of them and is the most
widespread of the turtle species. As one of the largest sea
turtles these monsters often grow up to 1.5m in length
and weigh up to 200kg – that about the same weight as 3.5
adults!
A female green turtle will journey back to the same beach every 2-5 years to lay her
eggs, often thousands of kilometres. She can lay up to 9 clutches each containing
around 100-150 eggs. Using her back flippers to dig a deep hole in the sand, she buries
them for protection. After 45 – 70 days the babies hatch and make a dash for the sea.
Many don’t make it, getting eaten by birds and crabs on the way, or becoming
disorientated by bright lights from nearby beach bars. Unlike other turtles, all adults
are herbivores, feeding mostly on marine grasses and algae. Their young however are
omnivores – meaning they eat both plants and other sea life, including jellyfish and
molluscs.
Kingdom-Animalia
Phylum-Chordate
Class-Mammalia
Order-carnivora
Family Felidae
Genus-Panthera
Species-p.paradus
Subspecies-p.pkotiya
The Sri Lankan Leopard (panther pardus kotiya) is a leopard
subspecies native to Sri Lanka classified as endangered by IUNCN, the
population is believed to be declining due to numerous threats in cluding
poaching for trade and human-Lepoard conflicts.
The leopard is colloquially known as kotiya in sinhala and
chirththai in tamil. The Sri Lankan subspecies was first described in 1956 by
the Sri Lankan zoologist deraniyagala.
Kingdom-Animalia
Phylum-chordate
Class-Mammalia
Order-proboscidea
Family-Elephantidea
Genus-Elephas
Species-E.maximus
Trinomial name Elephas maximus maximus Linnaeus, 1758
The Sri Lankan Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the
asian elephant and native to Srilanka since 1986, elephas maximus has been
listed as endangerd by IUCN as the population has declined at least 50%over
the last three generations estimated to be 60-75 years the threatened by habitat
loss degradation and fragmentation
The Sri Lankan elephant population is now largely restricted to the
dry. Zone in the north east and southeast of Sri Lanka. Elephants are present in
udawalawe National park, yala national,Lunugamvehera national park wilpattu
national park and minneriya national park but also live out side protected area
ENDANGERED
ANIMALS
Things are still touch-and-go for the Green and Golden Bell Frog, according to Andrew
Hammer of Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology. “There are relic populations
along the NSW coast but the prognosis is not good,” he says. “There have been hit hard
by urbanization and continue to threatened by continued industrial expansion that
destroys wetlands and areas around wetlands.”
With the exception of the kangaroo, there is no more
iconic Antipodean than the tree-dwelling koala
(Phascolarctos cinereus). But the koala was hunted for
to near extinction in the early 1900s, with more than a
million killed for the fur trade. Public outcry over koala
genocide gave birth to Australia’s powerful conservation
movement, though it was too little too late to save South
Australia’s koala population.
But in recent years, many koalas have been migrated to
colonies such as Kangaroo Island, and then re-migrated
to the mainland.
In NSW and southeast Queensland, the koala is
vulnerable in some areas, with habitat destruction
through logging identified as the primary culprit by the
Australia Koala Foundation (AKF).
“At the recent Senate Inquiry into the 'Status, Health and Population of the Australian
Koala', we made it clear that there are only 50,000 to 85,000 koalas left in the wild,”
says the AKF’s Debra Tabart. “This inquiry is the biggest light in the tunnel I have seen
in 25 years in that not one single expert said the koala was safe.”
To help stem the tide, a University of Sydney project is trying to teach quolls to avoid
eating toads. “We offer the quolls a small toad that we’ve infused with a chemical that
induces nausea. So the next time they smell or taste a toad, they associate it with
illness and reject it,” says research fellow Jonathan Webb,
“We have reintroduced 50 toad-trained quolls to Kakadu, where they are almost wiped
out, and after two years 20 of them are still there –- and reproducing. We’re optimistic
this approach is working.”
The Northern Quoll (sasyurus hallucatus), also
known as the Northern Native Cat, is the
smallest of four native Australian quoll species.
A carnivorous marsupial that resembles a
possum with large white spots, it is remarkable
in that the male dies after mating, leaving
females to raise youngsters on their own.
Once found north of Brisbane and right across the
Continent to the Western Australian coastline, the
Quoll is now listed as endangered, reduced to small
pockets in the Northern Territory, Cape York and the
Kimberley and Pilbara regions.
The prime culprit is the cane toad, introduced to Australia in 1935 to rid the nation’s
then-vital sugar cane industry of the cactoblastis beetle. Not only do toads compete
with the quoll for food and shelter, but also they posthumously eradicate the cats via
poisonous glands that are fatal to native species that eat them.
The fauna of Australia consists of a huge variety of animals; some 83% of mammals, 89% of
reptiles, 24% of fish and insects and 93% of amphibians that inhabit the continent are to
endermic Australia. This high level of endemism can be attributed to the continent's long
geographic isolation tectonoic stability, and the effects of an unusual pattern of climate
change on the soil and flora over geological , time. A unique feature of Australia's fauna is the
relative scarcity of native placental mammals. Consequently the marsupiala—a group of
mammals that raise their young in a pouch, including the macropods, possums and
dasvuromorphs—occupy many of the ecological niches placental animals occupy elsewhere
in the world. Australia is home to two of the 5 known extant species of monotremes and has
numerous venomous species, which include the Platyps platypus, spiders, scorpions,
octopus, jellyfish, molluscs, stonefish, and stingrays. Uniquely, Australia has more venomous
than non-venomous species of snakes
The settlement of Australia by lndigenous australians between 48,000 and 70,000
years ago (research in 2011 using DNA suggesting an arrival around 50,000 years ago),
and by Europeans from 1788, has significantly affected the fauna. Hunting, the
introduction of non-native species, and land-management practices involving the
modification or destruction of habitats have led to numerous extinctions. Some
examples include the paradise parrot, pig-footed bandicoot and the broad-faced
potoroo. Unsustainable land use still threatens the survival of many species. To target
threats to the survival of its fauna, Australia has passed wide-ranging federal and state
legislation and established numerous protected areas
After the miocene, fauna of Asian origin were able to establish themselves in
Australia. The wallace—the hypothetical line separating the zoogeographical regions
of Asia and Australasia—marks the tectonic boundary between the eurasian eura
and Indo-Australian plates. This continental boundary prevented the formation of
land bridges and resulted in a distinct zoological distribution, with limited overlap, of
most Asian and Australian fauna, with the exception of birds. Following the
emergence of the circumpolar current in the mid- oligocene era (some 15 MYA), the
Australian climate became increasingly arid, giving rise to a diverse group of aridspecialised organisms, just as the wet tropical and seasonally wet areas gave rise to
their own uniquely adapted species.[
Could Australia’s new threatened species commissioner be the break Tasmania’s endangered devils need?
jmilo75/flickrlk, CC BY-NC-ND
Australia’s threatened animals and plants may have received a small win today — the announcement of
Australia’s first threatened species commissioner by Environment Minister Greg Hunt in Melbourne.
The commissioner, Gregory Andrews, appointed from within the federal environment department, will
coordinate conservation of “priority species”, including funding. While some conservation advocates were
hoping for someone outside the department, Andrews will have the advantage of inside knowledge.
But for some species it is already too late. The commissioner was announced at the launch of the for action
plan for australian mammala 2012 by mammal experts john woinarski, Andrew Burbidge, and peter harrison
peter, which finds that nearly a third of australia’s mammals have been lost or are on the path to extinction,
largely due to introduced predators such as foxes and cats.
But for some species it is already too late. The commissioner was announced at the
launch of the action plan for australian mammals 2012 by mammal experts john
woinarski, Andrew Burbidge, and peter harrison, which finds that nearly a third of
australia’s mammals have been lost or are on the path to extinction, largely due to
introduced predators such as foxes and cats
Vulnerable green and golden bell frogs are found in New South Wales and Victoria. will
brown/flickr, cc by
Click to enlarge
Endangered Mallee Emu-wrens recently became extinct in South Australia. They
still survive in Victoria. ron knight/ flickr, ccby
Click to enlarge
Yet there is a high level of support in the community for preventing extinctions of
threatened species. In a paper published last week in PLoS One, almost two thirds of
the Australian public (63%) supported funding of threatened bird conservation. Only
6% explicitly opposed such payments.
This is substantially more than the $10 million ayear thought to be needed to prevent Australian bird
extinctions. Translating such enthusiasm into real dollars and action on the ground will be one of the
key tasks for the new commissioner
vale[gupm] the last known christmas island forest
skink
By john woinarski, Charles Darwin University; DON DRISCOLL,
Australian National University, and Hal cogger, Australian
Museum
Among the most haunting and evocative images of Australian
wildlife are the black and white photographs of the last
Thylacine, languishing alone in Hobart Zoo. It’s an
extraordinary reminder of how close…
Threatened species win avoice in can berra-but
it’s too late forsome
Australia’s threatened animals and plants may have
received a small win today — the announcement of
Australia’s first threatened species commissioner by
Environment Minister Greg Hunt in Melbourne.
By stephen garnett, Charles Darwin University
Australian endangered species:
Largetooth sawfish
By peter kyne,
Charles Darwin University
Sharks and rays are some of the world’s most threatened animals, with a
quarter of all species at risk of extinction. Among the sharks and rays,
sawfish are some of the most threatened, with all five species…
Quolls are in danger of going the way tasmanian tigers
With sharp teeth and an attitude to match, quolls are some of
Australia’s most impressive hunters. Ranging from around 300g to
5kg, these spectacularly spotted marsupials do an out-sized job of
controlling
from the frontline:saving Australia’s
threatened mammala
Almost a third of Australia’s mammals have become extinct or are facing extinction,
largely thanks to introduced predators such as cats and foxes. But what is the best
way to save the species still alive
By Tyrone lavery, The University of Queensland and
Katherine moseby
AUSTRALIAN ENDANGERED SPECIES:tasmanian
galaxiids
By scott hardie, University of
Tasmania
While the rivers of northern Australia and the Murray-Darling Basin are
renowned for their iconic, large-sized, fish species such as Murray Cod and
Barramundi, the temperate inland waterways of Tasmania…
To save australia’s mammals we need a change of heart
Twenty-nine Australian land mammals have become extinct over the last
200 years, and 56 are currently facing extinction. These losses and
potential losses represent over a third of the 315 species present…
By John woinarski, Charles Darwin University and Peter
harrison
Sugar gliders are eating awift parrots- but
what’sto blame
Swift parrots are one of Australia’s most endangered birds, but until very recently we
didn’t know why. New research shows that they’re being eaten by sugar gliders at their
breeding grounds in Tasmania…
By Deian sto janovic, Australian National University
Australian endangered species: Donosaur ant
By robert tay lor, Australian National University
The Dinosaur Ant (Nothomyrmecia macrops) is so-called
because it is a “living fossil”. It is arguably one of the closest
living examples of what some of the earliest true ants might
have been like, both…
Australian endangered species: Leckies ‘s cryfish
By Jason coughran
Australia has about 135 species of freshwater crayfish - and we’re still
describing more. Case in point are the Cherax group of crayfish, which
includes the critically endangered Hairy Marron from Western…
Many people view insects as a pest that must be destroyed. As
one of the earth’s oldest species, having existed for around
400million years, they are however a vital part of the food chain
and play a variety of key roles upon which we all depend. When
you consider that 90% of the world’s mammals are insects you
can begin to understand how life as we know it could not exist
without them.
One area where insects often earn themselves a bad name is in agriculture. Some
species of insect are known to damage and destroy crops. Beneficial insects however
prey on those who do the damage and so protect the crop by controlling pest
numbers.
Decomposition is an extremely important ecological function. Insects play a key role
in breaking down dead plant and animal matter, keeping the earth clean and
helping to return essential nutrients to the soil.
Insects play a vital role in pollinating our plants. Travelling from flower to flower
feeding on nectar they carry the plant’s pollen with them. Without insects many
plants would have no way of transferring their pollen and so would be unable to
reproduce.
Did you know that different frog species can be found
in a variety of habitats – from the depths of the
rainforest to home garden’s in the city. The common
shrub frog is an endemic species (existing only in Sri
Lanka) spread across a variety of habitats in the wet
zone, southwest of the island. Why not try tracking
and recording this and other frog species in your area?
Here are some key indicators to help you identify
different frog species...
Different frogs thrive best in different habitats. Some frogs are exclusive to only one
type of habitat whereas others can be found in many. The common shrub frog can
be identified in many habitat types including tea plantations, marshland, course
grasses, bamboo, secondary forest and even your home garden.
Different types of frog can be found in the same habitat but at different heights. Often the
frog’s appearance can give some indication as to where it lives as they camouflage
themselves to their environment to avoid predators. Frogs that live on tree bark for
example are usually brown coloured, often with rough looking skin that imitates the
texture of the bark! Look out for the brown/grey coloured common shrub frog in habitats
0.5m – 2m above floor level.
Butterflies are remarkable insects. Throughout their
lifespan (which can range from anything from a week to
a year depending on the species) they undergo huge
transformations. Butterflies live across a wide variety of
habitats from rainforest to home gardens. Why not try
tracking them to see how many species you can find. A
great one to look out for is the Blue Mormon; this native
species is the second largest butterfly on the island and
can be identified by its bright blue and black wings.
Often people try and catch butterflies in nets to get a better look at them. However you
really need to know what you’re doing as butterflies are extremely fragile. Touching their
wings for example can break important veins and leave them flightless. The best way to
track butterflies is to take a wander out into your garden or local area near lots of flowerin
plants and just have a look to see how many different species you can find. Why not try
spraying your hands with sugary water or leave some fruit in a dish in your garden to see
how many turn up for dinner. Another great way to increase your butterfly population is
to plant host plants, these are plants that are perfect for butterflies to feed from or lay their
eggs upon. The Blue Mormon butterfly likes to lay its eggs upon curry plants, why not try
planting one to encourage these beautiful butterflies to visit.
Sri Lankan frogmouth
Don’t be mistaken in thinking the frogmouth is, as its name
suggests, an amphibian. This animal is actually a bird found in
the dense tropical forests of Sri Lanka and parts of India. The
name frogmouth describes the bird’s wide head and gaping
mouth which it uses to catch insects. The females are often a
red colour with white freckles, and the males are greyer with
even more white freckles. They are nocturnal, meaning they
only come out at night. During the day they sleep perfectly
camouflaged upon forest branches, as a result they are
notoriously difficult to spot.
Sri Lankan frogmouths build their nests in the forked branches of trees anywhere
between 2 and 12 m off the ground. A very unusual characteristic of this bird is that it
only lays one egg! The single white egg is incubated by both parents, with the male
sitting on the egg during the day and the female at night. Once hatched the chick is
looked after by the parents for three weeks before flying the nest.
The main threat to these birds is habitat loss. The forests they live in are being
destroyed to make way for tea and crop plantations.
Toque Macaque
Ever seen a monkey with a haircut? If not, try looking
out for the toque macaque. This stocky little monkey is
an endemic species widely spread throughout Sri Lanka
and undoubtedly boasts the best hair-do on the island!
These monkeys nimbly climb trees foraging for a wide
variety of food including fruits, seeds, berries, crickets,
spiders and birds eggs – which they often keep in their
cheek pouches for later.
Toque macaque’s live in groups called “troupes” that
usually consist of about 20 individuals of all ages and
sizes, led by a single dominant male who protects and
leads the group. These troupes are commonly seen
hanging around ancient temples, as a result they are
often nicknamed “temple monkeys”.
oque macaques are becoming increasingly threatened by habitat loss. Their
numbers have declined by more than half in the last 40years. Despite this they
are the only endemic species of the island not protected by law.
Green turtle
Did you know, that out of the seven species of sea turtle
found worldwide, five can be found right here in Sri
Lanka? The green turtle is one of them and is the most
widespread of the turtle species. As one of the largest sea
turtles these monsters often grow up to 1.5m in length
and weigh up to 200kg – that about the same weight as 3.5
adults!
A female green turtle will journey back to the same beach every 2-5 years to lay her
eggs, often thousands of kilometres. She can lay up to 9 clutches each containing
around 100-150 eggs. Using her back flippers to dig a deep hole in the sand, she buries
them for protection. After 45 – 70 days the babies hatch and make a dash for the sea.
Many don’t make it, getting eaten by birds and crabs on the way, or becoming
disorientated by bright lights from nearby beach bars. Unlike other turtles, all adults
are herbivores, feeding mostly on marine grasses and algae. Their young however are
omnivores – meaning they eat both plants and other sea life, including jellyfish and
molluscs.
Vidula Hasanka
8-B
PANNALA NATIONAL SCHOOL.