The animal world of Sri Lanka is a real zoo in real conditions!
Especially a lot of interesting things are found if you get off the "tourist" route, move away from the waterfront... It is necessary to walk through the local village, where "white" will be only you. We did such a walk in the area of Mirissa Beach. A lot of emotions! You can see animals everywhere, along the road and in every local vegetable garden) or a ram will crawl through, or a mongoose will run. Everyone poses for the camera, even lizards).
Below is a map of hiking trail at 7 km. Important, you need to finish the walk before dark! We didn't make it in time and came back with "square eyes" from every rustle and sound. There is no street lighting there) Separate encountered locals try and brazenly stroke a white girl... There are flying foxes/dogs hanging from the trees...lots of these animals, lots of them.)) Anyway, when we got out on the tourist road, we really exhaled!
Although critters are everywhere around... At the hotel found the skin of a scorpion) Grasshoppers the size of a finger, etc.. And how many mosquitoes!!! Take all the fumigator for the room, for the street, body spray .... might help at least a little)
Varanas are quiet, harmless, but you can't tell that when you first meet them, because you don't know what they are yet. And they look a lot like little crocodiles)
Peacocks are a majestic bird that walks the streets of Ceylon like we have pigeons and sparrows
It is very unusual to meet them everywhere, when previously you saw them only in the zoo. With the peacock we had an interesting story. First night in Sri Lanka - did not close the balcony and windows... Although we read that should cover everything, at least a thick metal mosquito net. Woke up from a loud noise ... first thought - monkeys steal things) in fact on our balcony landed a huge peacock with a beautiful tail and what caused so much noise. It's fun to remember now, but waking up to the sounds, knowing that the balcony is open, it was not fun)!
Palm Squirrels or Lankan Chipmunks
This is the calling card of Sri Lanka. Waking up to them each morning at first is quite difficult, considering the time of their "hiccups" - 6-7 am! More interesting is that as soon as you are completely awake ... they stop)!!! Over time you get used to this and as a curiosity you record their hiccups on your phone. The best part is, back home in your country, you put them on your alarm clock ringtone and wake up every morning with delight! They, like many animals, are half-handed. They eat from the table and take food from the hands - nice creatures).
A mongoose is on the lookout for one of the local vegetable gardens
When walking the local streets, don't rush and don't talk. That way you will see more) Listen to every rustle and sound!
A snake on the beach is an unusual phenomenon and not very cute
Although the locals assured that it is not dangerous and almost they know it))
Monkeys - the pearl of Sri Lanka - the favorite animal of tourists
They move in flocks. They are semi-wild, ie for food to you cautiously, but will approach. It is not necessary to make them angry or to tease with food! Also watch your belongings when communicating with them. Then they will seem cute and funny. We had a situation where a female reached for a bag of bananas, I stomped her foot in response, which especially did not please her male))) He showed his fangs and rushed in our direction. We ended up remembering gym class, namely the sprint and ran very fast! Fortunately, all is well. On the Internet there are pictures and videos of monkey bites, which is no fun. We also saw how these "thieves" distract the corn seller with one hand and on the other hand drop the container of corn and it's all a pack of them stole in a matter of minutes. There are several kinds of monkeys in Sri Lanka and they are like people of different characters and behavior. The video below shows the "red" monkeys - they are not different in culture and manners. Wild and brazen! In the photo below - the gray langurs - they are just like aristocrats. If you offer them food they will take it accurately and will not hiss in reply, or try to frighten you. And red-haired ones like to take one banana and point and hiss with their paws... give back the whole bag, what you have in your hands!)
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