# WILD FREAKS

> proper knowledge about the environment

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## Posts

- [The Invasive Giant Snakehead (Channa micropeltes) in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-invasive-giant-snakehead-channa-micropeltes-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Zombie Rabbit in Colorado: Are Jackalopes More Than a Myth?](https://teamwildfreaks.com/zombie-rabbit-in-colorado-are-jackalopes-more-than-a-myth/)
- [United Nations Climate Summit (COP30): What to Expect](https://teamwildfreaks.com/united-nations-climate-summit-cop30-what-to-expect/)
- [OPEC+ : Everything You Need to Know](https://teamwildfreaks.com/opec-everything-you-need-to-know/)
- [Brazil Joins OPEC+ Ahead of UN Climate Summit: A Strategic Move or a Contradiction?](https://teamwildfreaks.com/brazil-joins-opec-ahead-of-un-climate-summit-a-strategic-move-or-a-contradiction/)
- [Can We Get DNA From Fossils?](https://teamwildfreaks.com/can-we-get-dna-from-fossils/)
- [Importance of the Earth day](https://teamwildfreaks.com/importance-of-the-earth-day/)
- [Salt Marsh Ecosystems in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/salt-marsh-ecosystems-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Let's Dive Deep into the Blackwater Concept](https://teamwildfreaks.com/lets-dive-deep-into-the-blackwater-concept/)
- [Poison vs. Venom; What's the difference?](https://teamwildfreaks.com/poison-vs-venom-whats-the-difference/)
- [The Gila Monster - AMAZING Venomous Lizard](https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-gila-monster-amazing-venomous-lizard/)
- [The Origin of Discus](https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-origin-of-discus/)
- [Prehistoric Settlements in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/prehistoric-settlements-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Types of Plate Boundaries; Similarities and Differences Among Them](https://teamwildfreaks.com/types-of-plate-boundaries-similarities-and-differences-among-them/)
- [Say hello to brand new spider species from Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/say-hello-to-brand-new-spider-species-from-sri-lanka/)
- [Twin Elephant Birth In Pinnawala](https://teamwildfreaks.com/twin-elephant-birth-in-pinnawala/)
- [Know Your Whale Sharks.](https://teamwildfreaks.com/know-your-whale-sharks/)
- [Reasons behind the success of Phylum Arthropoda](https://teamwildfreaks.com/reasons-behind-the-success-of-phylum-arthropods/)
- [Only Animal Makes Great White Sharks Tremble in Fear](https://teamwildfreaks.com/only-animal-makes-great-white-sharks-tremble-in-fear/)
- [All about Moray Eels](https://teamwildfreaks.com/moray-eels/)
- [Fire on a vessel off Sri Lanka’s coast rages for 11th day raising fears of major ecological impact](https://teamwildfreaks.com/fire-on-a-vessel-off-sri-lankas-coast/)
- [Australia's first fatal shark attack in 2021 - Surfer Killed in shark attack near popular Australia beach](https://teamwildfreaks.com/australias-first-fatal-shark-attack-in-2021-surfer-killed-in-shark-attack-near-popular-australia-beach/)
- [The Why and How of the Megalodon Extinction](https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-why-and-how-of-the-megalodon-extinction/)
- [Saw Scaled Viper (Echis Carinatus)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/saw-scaled-viper-echis-carinatus/)
- [Buff striped keelback (Amphiesma stolatum)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/buff-striped-keelback-amphiesma-stolatum/)
- [Sri Lankan Leopard - 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘶𝘴 𝘬𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘺𝘢](https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lankan-leopard-%f0%9d%98%97%f0%9d%98%a2%f0%9d%98%af%f0%9d%98%b5%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%a6%f0%9d%98%b3%f0%9d%98%a2-%f0%9d%98%b1%f0%9d%98%a2%f0%9d%98%b3%f0%9d%98%a5%f0%9d%98%b6%f0%9d%98%b4/)
- [Malpulutta kretseri - Ornate Paradise Fish](https://teamwildfreaks.com/malpulutta-kretseri-ornate-paradisefish/)
- [Bengal swamp eel | Ophisternon bengalense](https://teamwildfreaks.com/bengal-swamp-eel-ophisternon-bengalense/)
- [Jawed vs Jawless | Reasons behind the low diversity of jawless fishes compared to jawed fishes in the world.](https://teamwildfreaks.com/jawed-vs-jawless/)
- [𝘖𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘪 | Lesser Swamp Eel](https://teamwildfreaks.com/%f0%9d%98%96%f0%9d%98%b1%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%aa%f0%9d%98%a4%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%b5%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%ba%f0%9d%98%b4-%f0%9d%98%a5%f0%9d%98%a6%f0%9d%98%b4%f0%9d%98%aa%f0%9d%98%ad%f0%9d%98%b7ai/)
- [Sri Lankan Pipe Snake (𝘊𝘺𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lankan-pipe-snake-%f0%9d%98%8a%f0%9d%98%ba%f0%9d%98%ad%f0%9d%98%aa%f0%9d%98%af%f0%9d%98%a5%f0%9d%98%b3%f0%9d%98%b0%f0%9d%98%b1%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%aa%f0%9d%98%b4-%f0%9d%98%ae%f0%9d%98%a2/)
- [Two Leopard Attacks within three days at Kumana National Park | 1 killed](https://teamwildfreaks.com/two-leopard-attacks-within-three-days-at-kumana-national-park-1-killed/)
- [Dangerous killer cat that has taken over 400 human lives](https://teamwildfreaks.com/dangerous-killer-cat-that-has-taken-over-400-human-lives/)
- [Introduction to Native Cichlids in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-native-cichlids-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Latest Discoveries about Genus Ahaetulla in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/latest-discoveries-about-genus-ahaetulla/)
- [Why More than 100 whales beached on the Panadura Coast, Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/why-more-than-100-whales-beached-on-the-panadura-coastsri-lanka/)
- [Sri Lankan Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/green-pit-viper/)
- [A new species of CAVEFISH named after "Gollum" from The Lord of the Rings Book Series | Gollum Snakehead](https://teamwildfreaks.com/gollum-snakehead/)
- [How this drug lord created a hippo problem in Colombia](https://teamwildfreaks.com/how-this-drug-lord-created-a-hippo-problem-in-colombia/)
- [Rare albino Indian Rock Python was recorded from Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/rare-albino-indian-rock-python-was-recorded-from-sri-lanka/)
- [Reasons for the Success of Sponges (Phylum Porifera)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/reasons-for-the-success-of-sponges-phylum-porifera/)
- [A new Horned Lizard species from Sri Lanka - Ceratophora ukuwelai](https://teamwildfreaks.com/a-new-horned-lizard-species-from-sri-lanka-ceratophora-ukuwelai/)
- [Introduction to Genus Daboia in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/russells-viper/)
- [Anawilundawa Sanctuary Excavated For Prawn Farming](https://teamwildfreaks.com/anawilundawa-sanctuary-excavated-for-prawn-farming/)
- [Introduction to Genus Echis in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/genus-echis/)
- [A new discovery about Channa orientalis, the only pelvic-fin less Channa species in Sri Lanka from a team of Sri Lankan researchers](https://teamwildfreaks.com/a-new-discovery-about-channa-orientalis-the-only-pelvic-fin-less-channa-species-in-sri-lanka-by-a-team-of-sri-lankan-researchers/)
- [A new endemic fish species from Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/rasbora-adisi/)
- [Introduction to Genus Ahaetulla in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-genus-ahaetulla-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Introduction to Scorpions of Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-scorpions-of-sri-lanka/)
- [A new endemic snake species from Balangoda, Sri Lanka.](https://teamwildfreaks.com/a-new-endemic-snake-species-from-balangoda-sri-lanka/)
- [A new endemic snake species from the Knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/a-new-endemic-snake-species-from-the-knuckles-mountain-range-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Hydrothermal Vents : Introduction & Ecosystem](https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-ecosystem-of-hydrothermal-vent/)
- [Introduction to Family Aplocheilidae in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-family-aplocheilidae-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Over 350 of elephants found dead in Botswana](https://teamwildfreaks.com/over-350-of-elephants-found-dead-in-botswana/)
- [A new species of spider named after Joaquin Phoenix](https://teamwildfreaks.com/loureedia-phoenixi/)
- [Introduction to Genus Dendrelaphis | Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/dendrelaphis-sri-lanka/)
- [Checkered Keelback (Fowlea piscator)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/checkered-keelback/)
- [Common Rat Snake ( Ptyas mucosa maximus)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/common-rat-snake-ptyas-mucosa-maximuns/)
- [Introduction to Devario fish in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/devario-fish-in-sri-lanka/)
- [MONKEYS STEAL COVID-19 TEST SAMPLES](https://teamwildfreaks.com/monkeys-steal-covid-19-test-samples/)
- [Do Leaf-cutter Ants Really Feed on Leaves?](https://teamwildfreaks.com/leaf-cutter-ants/)
- [A rare black panther has been discovered after it was caught in a trap](https://teamwildfreaks.com/black-panther-sri-lanka/)
- [Immortal Week of Biodiversity in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/immortal-week-of-biodiversity-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Most Beautiful White Animals in the World](https://teamwildfreaks.com/white-animals/)
- [Top 10 Of The World’s Most Dangerous Aquatic Creatures](https://teamwildfreaks.com/top-10-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-aquatic-creatures/)
- [Introduction to Catfish in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-catfish-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Introduction to Common Spiders of Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-common-spiders-of-sri-lanka/)
- [Introduction to Freshwater Eels in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-freshwater-eels-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Introduction to Geckos of Sri Lanka | Updated *May 2020](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-geckos-of-sri-lanka/)
- [Poaching dangers loom as wildlife safaris put on stop due to COVID-19](https://teamwildfreaks.com/poaching-dangers-loom-as-wildlife-safaris-put-on-stop-due-to-covid-19/)
- [Introduction to Family Channidae in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-family-channidae-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Introduction to Freshwater Fish in Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-freshwater-fish-in-sri-lanka/)
- [Whale sharks may exist up a century, New Study Revealed](https://teamwildfreaks.com/whale-sharks-may-exist-up-a-century-new-study-revealed/)
- [Bronx Zoo Tiger Is Sick With the COVID-19](https://teamwildfreaks.com/bronx-zoo-tiger-is-sick-with-the-covid-19/)
- [Introduction to Genus 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘷𝘶𝘴](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-genus-acavus/)
- [𝘚𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 (Fan-Throated Lizard)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/sitana-ponticeriana-fan-throated-lizard/)
- [Introduction to Snakes of Sri Lanka](https://teamwildfreaks.com/snakes-of-sri-lanka/)
- [Leaf-nosed Lizard (𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘪)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/ceratophora-tennenti/)
- [Rhino Horn Lizard (𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘪)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/rhino-horn-lizard-ceratophora-stoddarti/)
- [THIS FROG known to eat anything INCLUDING SNAKES](https://teamwildfreaks.com/this-frog-known-to-eat-anything-including-snakes/)
- [Lyre Head Lizard / Hump-nosed Lizard (𝘓𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/lyre-head-lizard-hump-nosed-lizard-lyriocephalus-scutatus/)
- [Knuckles Pigmy Lizard (𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘢)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/knuckles-pigmy-lizard-cophotis-dumbara/)
- [Sri Lanka Kangaroo Lizard (𝘖𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘺𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lanka-kangaroo-lizard-otocryptis-weigmanni/)
- [Sri Lankan Chamaeleon (𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘦𝘭𝘦 𝘻𝘦𝘺𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lankan-chamaeleon-chamaele-zeylanicus/)
- [Did Really Dolphins and Swans ‘Return’ to Italian Waterways due to COVID-19 Lockdown?](https://teamwildfreaks.com/did-really-dolphins-and-swans-return-to-italian-waterways-due-to-covid-19-lockdown/)
- [Karu's horned lizard (𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘶)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/karus-horned-lizard-ceratophora-karu/)
- [Common Garden Lizard / Oriental Garden Lizard (𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/calotes-versicolor/)
- [Sri Lankan Soft-shell / flapshell Turtle (𝘓𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘮𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘦𝘺𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lanka-soft-shell-terrapin-lissemys-ceylonensis/)
- [Indian Black Terrapin (𝘔𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘫𝘶𝘨𝘢)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lanka-black-terrapin-melanochelys-trijuga/)
- [Star Tortoise (𝘎𝘦𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘴) ](https://teamwildfreaks.com/star-tortoise-geochelone-elegans/)
- [EMYDIDAE -Red-eared Slider (𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘺𝘴 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘢)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/emydidae-red-eared-slider-trachemys-scripta/)
- [Introduction to Testudines](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-testudines/)
- [Mugger Crocodile (𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘴)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/mugger-crocodile-crocodylus-palustris/)
- [Saltwater Crocodile (𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘴)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/saltwater-crocodile-crocodylus-porosus/)
- [INTRODUCTION FOR CROCODYLIDAE (CROCODILES)](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-for-crocodylidae-crocodiles/)
- [INTRODUCTION FOR DRAGON LIZARDS](https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-for-dragon-lizards/)
- [Bodhinagala Forest Hermitage | Trail #3](https://teamwildfreaks.com/bodhinagala-forest-hermitage-trail-3/)
- [MONSTER FISH feeding FRENZY - REDTAIL CATFISH](https://teamwildfreaks.com/monster-fish-feeding-frenzy-redtail-catfish/)
- [Bodhinagala Forest Reserve - Behind the scenes](https://teamwildfreaks.com/bodhinagala-forest-reserve-behind-the-scenes/)
- [Setting Up a Low Budget Planted Tank | Wild Freaks](https://teamwildfreaks.com/setting-up-a-low-budget-planted-tank-wild-freaks/)
- [Combtails in their natural habitat](https://teamwildfreaks.com/combtails-in-their-natural-habitat/)

---

#
# Detailed Content


## Pages

- Published: 2025-02-16
- Modified: 2025-08-15
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/

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- Published: 2021-06-12
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Software for Systematics Tree-Search Parsimony-Based Programs: NONA and TNT Data Management Analysis and Tree Editing: WinClada WinClada ver. 10. 00. 08 updated: 29 April 2002 Downloads WinClada About WinClada Program download button is at the Bottom of this page. Please read entire page before downloading). WinClada was written entirely by:Kevin C. Nixon. Copyright 1999-2002, All rights reserved. Download winclada WINCLADA Documentation winc_doc To download sample files as single self-extracting executable (run this after downloading): samples To download THE SAME sample files individually (no need to do both! ! ! ): sample. zip NONA NONA IS NOW FREEWARE: DO NOT PAY FOR IT! NONA WAS WRITTEN ENTIERLY BY: PABLO A. GOLOBOFF INSUE FUNDACI E INSTITUTO MIGUEL LILLO MIGUEL LILLO 205, 4000 S. M. DE TUCUM, ARGENTINA NONA VER 2. 0 IS A WINDOWS 95/98/NT COMMAND LINE/TEXT PROGRAM THAT IS: used to search for most parsimonious trees used to calculate consensus trees, etc. Extremely fast! In general, MUCH faster than competing software. WinClada is written to utilize NONA either directly as a search engine for phylogenetic analysis, or the two programs may be used separately. NONA ver. 2. 0 is now available FOR FREE THIS VERSION IS FULLY FUNCTIONAL AND NOT IMPAIRED IN ANY WAY. FREEWARE POLICY : NONA can be downloaded by anyone Nona win. exe nona-linux. tar nona-macosx. tar TNT What is TNT? Tree analysis using New Technology A new program by Pablo Goloboff, Steve Farris, and Kevin Nixon It is a program that can: analyse large data sets (i....

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Website Terms of Use The Wild Freaks website located at https://teamwildfreaks. com is a copyrighted work belonging to Wild Freaks. Certain features of the Site may be subject to additional guidelines, terms, or rules, which will be posted on the Site in connection with such features. All such additional terms, guidelines, and rules are incorporated by reference into these Terms. These Terms of Use described the legally binding terms and conditions that oversee your use of the Site. BY LOGGING INTO THE SITE, YOU ARE BEING COMPLIANT THAT THESE TERMS and you represent that you have the authority and capacity to enter into these Terms. YOU SHOULD BE AT LEAST 18 YEARS OF AGE TO ACCESS THE SITE. IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ALL OF THE PROVISION OF THESE TERMS, DO NOT LOG INTO AND/OR USE THE SITE. These terms require the use of arbitration Section 10. 2 on an individual basis to resolve disputes and also limit the remedies available to you in the event of a dispute. These Terms of Use were created with the help of the Terms Of Use Generator and the Privacy Policy Sample. Access to the Site Subject to these Terms. Company grants you a non-transferable, non-exclusive, revocable, limited license to access the Site solely for your own personal, noncommercial use. Certain Restrictions. The rights approved to you in these Terms are subject to the following restrictions: (a) you shall not sell, rent, lease, transfer, assign, distribute, host, or otherwise commercially exploit the Site; (b)...

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we enjoy hearing from users and new friends. It is quick and easy. Remember it’s good to talk! If you have any blogging queries, suggestions, comments or just want to say hi, please email us on the following email. info@teamwildfreaks. com Others ways to reach out Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Subject Your Message Δdocument. getElementById( "ak_js_1" ). setAttribute( "value", ( new Date ). getTime );

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TeamWildFreaks is your one-stop connection to a natural atmosphere of adventure and amazing up-close animal encounters. Our vision is to distribute a proper knowledge about the environment all over the world. We hope It will be helped to the conservation of our planet for current and future generations. This is the place to discover our stunning stories from our brave adventurers. When mistakes are made, we will correct them to our utmost ability as respect and care for the natural world remains a top priority. This is our team; Mohamed Shafran Packeer AKA "The Big Boss" Tech Enthusiast, Monsterfish Enthusiast, Rising Environmentalist, An Explorer, Wildlife Photographer, Chief Editor of Wild Freaks and a member since started. "My ultimate target is catching Walago attu and beating Jeremy Wade! " Chamod Gunathilake AKA the "Master Mind" Undergraduate Student at Faculty of Sciences, University of Peradeniya, An explorer, Knowledge Seeker. Member since started "The truth is I am Batman! " Yesitha Rodrigo AKA "The Brave" Wildlife Photographer, Monsterfish Enthusiast, Naturalist, Snake Geek, Member since started "If it’s VENOMOUS! ! I'm gonna touch it! " Methinda Mahesh Dhamsara AKA “Kvasir” Undergraduate student at Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya. Creative Aquascaper, Knowledge seeker, Owner of @Dammascape “I’m gonna create this river in my 2*2 tank! ” Vihansa Jayasinghe AKA “The little Bullet” Undergraduate student at Faculty of Engineering, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology. Knowledge Seeker, a Researcher

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## Posts

- Published: 2025-08-18
- Modified: 2025-08-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-invasive-giant-snakehead-channa-micropeltes-in-sri-lanka/

The giant snakehead (Channa micropeltes) represents one of the most concerning biological invasions currently threatening Sri Lanka's freshwater ecosystems. This formidable predatory fish, native to the river systems of Southeast Asia, has established breeding populations in Sri Lankan waters, particularly in the Deduru Oya reservoir, creating unprecedented challenges for native biodiversity and local fishing communities. Understanding the full scope of this invasion requires examining not only the species' remarkable biological characteristics but also the economic factors that facilitated its introduction and the far-reaching consequences of its establishment. Critical Species Distinction: Avoiding Confusion with Native Channa ara Before delving into the invasive threat, it is essential to clarify a common source of confusion that has complicated public understanding and response efforts. Sri Lanka is home to a native species commonly referred to as the "giant snakehead," scientifically known as Channa ara. This endemic species has coevolved with Sri Lanka's freshwater ecosystems over millennia and poses no invasive threat to native biodiversity. The invasive species under discussion, Channa micropeltes, is an entirely different organism originating from Southeast Asian river basins, particularly the Mekong and Chao Phraya systems. The distinction between these species is crucial for conservation efforts, as management strategies must target the foreign invader while protecting the native giant snakehead that forms an integral part of Sri Lanka's aquatic heritage. Channa micropeltes, giant snakehead, giant mudfish or toman harimau Biological Profile The invasive giant snakehead possesses a combination of biological traits that make it exceptionally suited for colonizing new environments and...

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- Published: 2025-08-15
- Modified: 2025-08-15
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/zombie-rabbit-in-colorado-are-jackalopes-more-than-a-myth/

Recent sightings of rabbits with disturbing black, horn like growths protruding from their heads and faces have captivated social media and sparked widespread concern among Colorado residents. These so-called "zombie rabbits" have been spotted throughout Fort Collins, creating viral photos that have drawn comparisons to creatures from horror films and post-apocalyptic television shows like "The Last of Us". Rabbit in Colorado exhibiting black hornlike growths caused by Shope papillomavirus, also known as the 'zombie rabbit' condition What Are Colorado's 'Zombie Rabbits'? The alarming appearance of these cottontail rabbits is caused by the Shope papillomavirus (SPV), also known as cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV). This naturally occurring virus creates wart-like tumors called papillomas that develop into dark, horn-like or tentacle-shaped protrusions around the rabbit's head, face, ears, and mouth. Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose confirms that the agency has received more than a dozen reports of infected rabbits since photos first began circulating on social media in early August 2025. However, officials note that some reports likely represent multiple sightings of the same infected animals rather than entirely new cases. Shope Papillomavirus Infection Cycle and Timeline in Colorado Rabbits The Viral Social Media Response The disturbing images have generated intense reactions across social media platforms, with users coining various nicknames including: "Frankenstein bunnies" "Demon rabbits" "Zombie rabbits" "Tentacle rabbits" One Instagram user commented, "This is how the zombie virus starts," while another wrote on YouTube, "We've got freaking zombie rabbits now? ! ". The photos have accumulated thousands of...

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- Published: 2025-02-24
- Modified: 2025-02-24
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/united-nations-climate-summit-cop30-what-to-expect/

What is COP30? COP30 is the 30th United Nations Climate Summit, set to take place in Belém, Brazil, in 2025. Leaders from around the world will gather to discuss climate policies, set new goals, and assess progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. COP30 will be held from Mon, Nov 10, 2025 to Fri, Nov 21, 2025 in Belém, Brazil Why is COP30 Important? Climate change remains a global crisis. Countries must act to cut emissions, protect ecosystems, and invest in renewable energy. COP30 offers a platform to strengthen commitments under the Paris Agreement and address climate financing for developing nations. What is OPEC+? Key Issues on the Agenda - Carbon Emissions: Countries will present updated plans to meet net-zero targets. - Climate Finance: Developing nations seek more funding for adaptation and mitigation. - Deforestation: A major topic, given Brazil’s role in protecting the Amazon rainforest. - Renewable Energy: Expanding clean energy sources to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. - Loss and Damage: Discussions on compensation for nations facing climate disasters. Brazil’s Role United Nations Climate Summit (COP30) - Brazil joins OPEC+ As the host country, Brazil faces pressure to lead climate action. With the Amazon rainforest acting as a global carbon sink, Brazil must showcase efforts to curb deforestation and promote sustainable policies. Brazil Joins OPEC+: Why? Challenges Ahead Despite growing awareness, challenges remain: - Some nations still prioritize economic growth over environmental action. - Global climate financing commitments often fall short. - Political disputes can slow progress in negotiations....

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- Published: 2025-02-24
- Modified: 2025-02-24
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/opec-everything-you-need-to-know/

What is OPEC+? OPEC+ is an alliance of oil-producing nations that work together to regulate oil production and influence global oil prices. The group consists of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and non-OPEC allies, including Russia, Mexico, and Kazakhstan. The primary goal of OPEC+ is to stabilize oil markets by adjusting production levels to meet global demand, preventing price volatility that could harm both producers and consumers. What is COP30? The Origin of OPEC+ OPEC was founded in 1960 by five major oil-exporting countries, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Venezuela; to coordinate petroleum policies and protect their interests in the global market. In 2016, OPEC partnered with 10 additional non-OPEC oil-producing countries, creating OPEC+ in response to the oil price crisis triggered by an oversupply of crude oil. This expanded group has since played a key role in managing production cuts and stabilizing prices. Member Countries of OPEC+ OPEC+ includes 24 nations, divided into: OPEC Members (14 nations): - Saudi Arabia - Iran - Iraq - Kuwait - Venezuela - United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Algeria - Angola - Congo - Equatorial Guinea - Gabon - Libya - Nigeria - Brazil (Newest Member) Non-OPEC Members (10 nations): - Russia - Mexico - Kazakhstan - Azerbaijan - Bahrain - Brunei - Malaysia - Oman - South Sudan - Sudan Brazil joins OPEC+ How OPEC+ Influences Oil Prices OPEC+ plays a crucial role in global oil markets by adjusting production output based on economic conditions. The group meets...

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- Published: 2025-02-22
- Modified: 2025-02-24
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/brazil-joins-opec-ahead-of-un-climate-summit-a-strategic-move-or-a-contradiction/

In a surprising yet calculated move, Brazil has announced its decision to join OPEC+, the alliance of major oil-exporting nations. This decision comes just months before the country is set to host the United Nations Climate Summit (COP30) in Belém later this year. The move has sparked global debate, raising questions about Brazil’s environmental commitments and economic strategies. What is COP30? Why is it Important? Why Is Brazil Joining OPEC+? Brazil’s decision to align itself with OPEC+ is largely strategic. The South American nation is not yet a top-tier oil producer compared to giants like Saudi Arabia and Russia, but its deepwater oil reserves, particularly in the pre-salt layer; have positioned it as a rising energy powerhouse. By joining OPEC+, Brazil gains a seat at the table where major oil production and pricing decisions are made. However, unlike full members of the cartel, Brazil has opted for an observer status, meaning it will participate in discussions without being bound by production quotas. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended the move, stating that Brazil aims to use its oil wealth to finance its energy transition toward renewables. He argues that being part of OPEC+ allows Brazil to have a stronger voice in global energy policies, influencing decisions that affect both fossil fuel markets and the future of sustainable energy investments. United Nations Climate Summit (COP30) - Brazil joins OPEC+ A Conflict Between Oil and Climate Leadership? Critics, however, see this decision as a contradiction. Brazil has long presented itself...

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- Published: 2022-04-26
- Modified: 2022-04-26
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/can-we-get-dna-from-fossils/

More than 120 million years ago, in a hot, conifer-filled forest in what’s now India, a small insect made a terrible mistake. While searching for a tasty meal of pine pollen it wandered one step too far, only to find itself trapped in sticky, yellow resin. Tired from its flight, this small weevil was quickly entombed in the fragrant yellow material, which eventually became the substance we know today as Amber. Then, in 1993, scientists cracked open this very same piece of amber. They took the body of the weevil and sampled its DNA. Now, this is not a scene from the Jurassic Park franchise. But this research IS from the 1990s, a decade when scientists were rushing to find the most ancient DNA. And at the time, this weevil was the oldest thing ever to have its DNA sampled. Or, at least, so we thought. The fact is, we can indeed get the DNA of extinct organisms from some fossils. It’s fragmented, and it’s imperfect, but it’s possible. It’s just not possible for every type of fossil, and, most importantly, not from every time period. It took another few decades of research, and a lot of take-backs before scientists could figure out how we could truly unlock the genetic secrets of the past. The first piece of ancient DNA ever replicated was of an animal called the Quagga, a subspecies of zebra that went extinct in the 19th century. It was sampled in 1984, pretty much just to see...

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- Published: 2022-04-22
- Modified: 2022-04-22
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/importance-of-the-earth-day/

Importance of the Earth day Why the 22nd of April is so important to the whole world? The answer is simple; it is earth day. But the meaning of the earth day, in another word, the importance of the earth day is not that simple to explain. Since the first earth day was declared on the 22nd of April 2022, each year, more than a billion people belonging to more than 193 countries celebrate this remarkable day to protect the only believing planet with the life and the place we live; the “earth”. The above mentioned a billion people consist of environmental activists, university students, members of environmental organizations, social activists, and a lot of nature enthusiasts which are representing every race, every religion, and every country around the world. On the other hand, this is a day of unity and peace. Every year, they unite as one and organize various projects with the aim of protecting the earth. Organizing beach cleanups, social awareness programs, reforestation programs, tree planting programs, educating kids about nature, and educating people about reducing the consumption of fossil fuels are the main events that are done on the earth day by nature enthusiasts. Though this is called the “world earth day”, you also can individually be a part of this amazing event by doing even a small thing you could do to protect nature for our future generations. All in all, as the theme of the earth day 2022, ‘Invest in our planet’, it will...

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- Published: 2022-04-11
- Modified: 2022-04-13
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/salt-marsh-ecosystems-in-sri-lanka/

Saltmarshes are coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by saltwater brought in by tides. There are two types of them in the world depending on their distribution. Temperate saltmarshes are grass dominant upper coastal inter-tidal zones between land and the sea which are distributed throughout coastal areas of countries with a temperate climate such as the United State of America, Canada, France, and South Korea while the tropical saltmarshes are shrub dominant coastal intertidal zones margined by the sea or sometimes mangrove ecosystems and the terrestrial area. They are distributed in countries with a tropical climate such as India, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and a few Southeast Asian countries. Salt Marsh Ecosystems in Sri Lanka | Temperate Saltmarsh habitat ©Pixabay Tropical Saltmarsh habitat ©Chamod Gunathilake Sri Lanka, one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the world with various types of habitats that are completely different from each other. Here, salt marshes are distributed only in the coastal area of the North, North-West, and South-East where the climate is characterized by a long dry season. Most of these areas receive little or no rain for about five months from April to August or September. Of the total area of 23,819 Ha of salt marshes in Sri Lanka, 6,591. 8 Ha are distributed in the Mannar district and the Vankalai saltmarsh acts a major role there. Mannar is a district in the Northern province, Arid zone in Sri Lanka. Due to its extremely warm climate conditions, it is home to unique floral...

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- Published: 2022-03-24
- Modified: 2022-04-10
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/lets-dive-deep-into-the-blackwater-concept/

Often, blackwater-style aquariums are designed to mimic nature. All the dry leaf litter, bunches of twigs, driftwoods together with tannin acids and humic substances, botanical-style aquariums can give you a calming feeling all day long. Slow-moving natural water streams flooded water beds and small ponds with stagnant waters are the ideal natural habitats where you can observe this kind of darker waters. To enjoy botanical-style tank setups, you may have to think out of the box and appreciate what you are seeing as the ecosystem and nature takes time to settle down. In botanical style setups, aquascapers embrace biofilms, fungal growths, decomposition, turbidity, and darker colors. Overall, if you can make the necessary mental shifts, you can enjoy this unique style of tank setup. Along with disease resistance, enhanced colors, and physical health, your fish can have a very vast diet as well. Having a variety of feed can improve the overall health of your fish. It can improve your fish life expectancy and your fish can even spawn. And finally, to bust a misconception among hobbyists, just because your tank water is darker, does not mean it is dirty. Leaf litter and botanical items are often used. Locally available, twigs, stones, and dry leaves can be used in blackwater setups. Adding locally collected leaves can give you a vast idea about the selected leaves' tannin percentages, decay rates, and color composition. Avoid stone types that do not affect the water hardness or alkalinity when selecting stones. Indian almond leaves....

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- Published: 2022-03-18
- Modified: 2022-03-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/poison-vs-venom-whats-the-difference/

Poison vs Venom, Would you rather be bitten by a venomous snake or touch a poisonous frog? Wait, what's the difference between poison and venom, anyway? Let's say you have the misfortune to be bitten by a venomous rattlesnake. The rattlesnake that kissed you | Poison vs. Venom: What's the difference? When it bites you, the snake will eject venom from little sacks behind its eyes, through its hollow fangs, and into your flesh. That venom will then travel through your bloodstream and all over your body. In most cases, snake venom contains neurotoxins, proteins that can do all sorts of nasty stuff like make your muscles fire uncontrollably, burst your blood cells, and make you go completely numb. But you might get lucky! Snakes don't always decide you're worth wasting venom on. In fact, between 20-80% of snake bites are so-called "dry bites," where the snake is just trying to send a message without actually killing you. You see, venom takes energy and resources for the snake to make, and they don't want to waste it on a warning shot. When it comes to poison, on the other hand, there's no warning shot. If you pick up a poisonous dart frog to admire its beautiful colours, you've already gotten deadly poison all over your hands. As it seeps into your skin and travels through your blood, the poison starts to interfere with your nerves, preventing your muscles from contracting. If the frog's poison reaches your heart, it can cause...

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- Published: 2022-03-10
- Modified: 2022-03-10
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-gila-monster-amazing-venomous-lizard/

When you hear the words "venomous reptiles‟, all the thoughts that rush into your mind are about snakes. But are only the snakes venomous amongst reptiles? Did you know that there are venomous lizards as well? Today let's talk about the Gila monster. Genus Heloderma There are two species and four subspecies of lizards known in the Genus Heloderma of the Family Helodermatidae is all known to be venomous. The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) is one of them and inhabits succulent deserts, scrublands, and oak woodlands in Southwestern America and Mexico. Are they venomous or poisonous? Well, they are truly venomous. Whilst snakes have developed their venom glands in their upper jaws these lizards have developed theirs in the lower jaws. How poisonous are Gila monsters? These lizards tend to use venom as a defense mechanism rather than to paralyze their prey. Gila monsters bite their opponent and hold on chewing as it takes a whilst for the venom to flow into the wound through the grooved teeth of the lower jaw. Can Gila monsters kill you? Although their venom may cause pain, it is not lethal to humans. Where do you find Gila monsters? These lizards spend most of their lifetime hidden underground in burrowed holes or under rocks. They only surface in searching for food, basking, or finding a mating partner. These lizards seem to prefer water as they would submerge themselves in puddles after a rain in the dry season as well as because their hiding places...

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- Published: 2021-11-17
- Modified: 2022-04-11
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-origin-of-discus/

Discus is one the most popular fish in the Ornamental fish trade due to their mesmerizing patterns and vibrant colors, but where did these fish come from? The earliest records date back to the early 1800s with a connection to a historical marriage that took place, The wedding of Crown Prince of Portugal and Prince of Brazil, and 19-year-old Archduchess Maria Leopoldina of Austria. With the Royal entourage were naturalists sent by the Emperor of Austria to explore the unknown accompanied by artists, researchers, and other academics. During this Expedition two biologists Johannes Baptist Natterer and Johann Jacob Heckel who came to identify many new Brazilian species of plants and animals. after eighteen years of exploring Brazil Nattrer and Heckel set their journey back home with 1,671 fish species, 1,146 mammals, 1,024 mussels, and many other species. Many of these were entirely new science, When working on Natterer’s collection, Johann Jacob Heckel analyzed an unusually shaped species which was described as the first Discus species (Symphysodon discus) which we commonly know today as the Heckel discus, later on, overtime three other species were discovered. In 1903, J. Pellegrin described the Green discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus). And in 1955, Harald Schultz Described Brown discus (Symphysodon aequifasciatus axelrodi) and in 1960 Harald Schultz also described the Blue discus (Symphyson aequifasciatus haraldi). The first Imports of Discus to the Ornamental fish trade was in 1921 to Europe, but none of the specimens survived long. Again, in 1928, another attempt was made to import a...

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- Published: 2021-11-07
- Modified: 2021-11-07
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/prehistoric-settlements-in-sri-lanka/

Africa is considered the centre of human evolution. The migration of Homo sapiens from country to country expanding their distribution is discussed through the “Out of Africa Theory”. According to the findings, Homo sapiens have migrated to Asia from Eastern Africa and through Asia to Sri Lanka. Homo sapiens have travelled through the Indian coast and arrived in Sri Lanka approximately more than 70 000 years ago. The initial settlements of these newly arrived Homo sapiens have probably been established in coastal areas in Sri Lanka. Depending on the dating of the stone tools discovered from the Pathirajawela site in Bundala, Dr S. U. Deraniyagala states his opinion that the Homo sapiens have reached Sri Lanka approximately 125 000 years before present. The prehistoric period of Sri Lanka is considered as the 125 000 B. C. - 1000 B. C. based on data and information obtained through material factors such as faunal remains, floral remains, stone tools, pollen and soil layers. The prehistoric age consists of the Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. The prehistoric man of Sri Lanka was given the name “Balangoda Man” by Mr. P. E. P. Deraniyagala. According to Dr S. U. Deraniyagala and Kenneth Kennedy, a prehistoric man who lived in Sri Lanka is Homo sapiens. The prehistoric anthropological sites have been discovered from different regions of the island. The prehistoric man had established settlements in different climatic zones and vegetation types in Sri Lanka. Explored Sites Climatic zones of Sri Lanka Evidence implies that prehistoric...

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- Published: 2021-11-05
- Modified: 2021-11-05
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/types-of-plate-boundaries-similarities-and-differences-among-them/

Rift diving ©Pixabay About 3. 3 – 3. 5 billion years ago, the process of formation of tectonic plates and moving was started. Since then, these tectonic plates are keep moving. This moving process is called continental drift. It is a concept that was published by Sir Alfred Wegener using 5 pieces of evidence. But he couldn’t explain the reasons for the movements. In 1960, a group of geophysicists, a new theory called The Plate Tectonic Theory. A tectonic plate is a massive, irregular-shaped slab of solid rock generally composed of both continental and oceanic lithospheres. They said that those large tectonic plates were floating on a semi-solid layer called Asthenosphere. Due to the convection current of the upper mantle and the asthenosphere. For this process, the required heat is supplied by the inner and outer core of the earth. Because of this process, tectonic plates are moved since they were formed. Plate boundaries are the edges where 2 plates meet. Those are very busy places with geological activities like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, formation of faults, and mountain building. According to the relative motion of nearby tectonic plates, there are 4 types of plate boundaries. They are convergent plate boundaries, divergent plate boundaries, transform plate boundaries, and plate boundary zones. https://www. instagram. com/p/CVixZDLpS1n/? utm_source=ig_web_copy_link View this post on Instagram A post shared by National Geographic Maps (@natgeomaps) A divergent plate boundary occurs when nearby two tectonic plates move away from each other. This type of movement happens because of the...

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- Published: 2021-10-09
- Modified: 2021-10-09
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/say-hello-to-brand-new-spider-species-from-sri-lanka/

Sri Lankan researchers have described the first-ever species of jumping spiders from the genus Pancorius. Genus Pancorius is recorded for the first time in Sri Lanka. Following 8 are the newly described spider species in Sri Lanka. Colopsus cinereus Colopsus ferruginus Colopsus magnus Colopsus tenuesi Evarcha latus Pancorius alboclypeus Pancorius altus Pancorius athukoralai The findings were made by Sri Lankan researchers Dr. Nilani Kanesharatnam and Prof. Suresh Benjamin. Research Article : Phylogenetic relationships and systematics of the jumping spider genus Colopsus with the description of eight new species from Sri Lanka (Araneae: Salticidae) Check This Out : Introduction to Common Spiders of Sri Lanka

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- Published: 2021-08-31
- Modified: 2021-08-31
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/twin-elephant-birth-in-pinnawala/

For the first time in the history of Sri Lankan domestic elephants, twin elephants were born in the Pinnawala elephant conservation centre (2021. 08. 21). The first of these two elephants was born around 4 am and the second was born around 12 pm. It is reported that these two babies who were born are males. In 2020 Sri Lanka’s First Twin Elephant birth was recorded in Minneriya National Park. Two elephant calves age between 3-4 weeks, which feed in the same cow elephant( A female elephant) and frequently associate with the same mother elephant was spotted by wildlife authorities and eminent Wildlife Researcher Dr Sumith Pilapitiya. After a long time observation of their behaviour, they could gather evidence to come to a conclusion that both calves are a set of twins. Twin Elephant birth in Minneriya National Park While there are few records of twins among Asian elephants, several such documented cases exist among African elephants. Check this Out - A new discovery about Channa orientalis, the only pelvic-fin less Channa species in Sri Lanka from a team of Sri Lankan researchers

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- Published: 2021-08-28
- Modified: 2022-03-22
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/know-your-whale-sharks/

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus A. Smith, 1828) are the largest known living fish on earth, reaching up to 18 - 32. 8 feet total in length and can weigh up to 20. 6 tons. These massive sharks are cartilaginous fishes, from the class Chondrichthyes, subclass Elasmobranchii and are the only described member of the family Rhincodontidae. Whale sharks are also known as “carpet sharks” for their unique carpet like spot patterns and are covered with placoid scales, which are only found in sharks and rays. Although whale sharks are extremely larger in size, unlike other carnivorous shark species such as great white sharks and tiger sharks, whale sharks are filter feeders. Using “Cross - Flow Filtration”, whale sharks swim with their 4 feet wide mouth open to feed on planktons, small fishes, fish eggs and small marine creatures by filtering water through their 3000 tiny teeth and using their gill rakers. Hence, undoubtedly whale sharks are not a threat to human beings. These giants can be found swimming long distances mainly in the tropical and subtropical oceans except Mediterranean seas, moving slowly to their feeding grounds in order to find an adequate amount of feed to maintain their massive bodies. Sometimes, they can be seen swimming in schools containing up to hundreds of whale sharks and capable of diving more than 1000 m deep in water. Often, these large sharks are spotted in open seas in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Ocean as well as in the Indian Ocean. Whale sharks...

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- Published: 2021-08-15
- Modified: 2022-03-10
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/reasons-behind-the-success-of-phylum-arthropods/

©Pixabay Arthropods are a group of animals that have jointed appendages and no backbones. Mammals have also jointed legs but they aren’t alike. Arthropods belong to Kingdom Animalia and there are 5 subphyla under the main phylum Arthropoda. 84% of all known species of animals on earth are arthropods. It means the most successful group of animals on the earth is the phylum Arthropoda. It is divided into 5 major subphyla according to their morphological characteristics. They are Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, Hexapoda, and Trilobita. The subphylum trilobite had only one genus called Trilobites. It had over 20000 species but they have been extinct about 250 million years ago. But still, now, the other 4 subphyla show great diversity. Trilobite Fossil ©Pixabay There are over 800000 named species on earth. It describes how successful the phylum Arthropoda is. The success of an animal group is describing on few parameters. It should contain a large number of species, they should occupy many different kinds of habitats, they should feed on any kinds of food and finally, they should be good at defending themselves. From these perspectives, arthropods are very successful than other animals on earth. Behind this success, there are 5 main reasons. The main thing is the exoskeleton. The exoskeleton is a thinner outer layer that adapts to protect internal soft body parts. The exoskeleton is one of the greatest inventions of nature. But in higher phyla such as mammals and birds don’t have an exoskeleton but an endoskeleton. Though exoskeleton...

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- Published: 2021-08-13
- Modified: 2022-01-10
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/only-animal-makes-great-white-sharks-tremble-in-fear/

when it comes to ruling the sea bigger isn't always better. surprisingly some of the largest ocean creatures aren't dangerous at all. the blue whale is the largest animal on the planet weighing as many as 33 elephants and all it eats is krill and the whale shark despite its menacing name and 40-foot length only eats plankton and small fish. so what does it really take to be at the top of the ocean's food chain? specialized hunting skills, a ferocious appetite and few if any natural predators. oh, and sharp teeth don't hurt either. when you think of the top ocean predators you probably think of sharks that's wrong the true ruler of the sea is the killer whale surprisingly they're not whales they're dolphins. it's hard to believe that a cute animal like a dolphin is ruling the ocean. anyway, we're going to explain this, killer whales are apex predators. which means they have no natural predators they hunt in packs much like wolves. which are also at the top of their food chain. most often come across resident killer whales that feed predominantly on salmon. but we occasionally spot transient orcas which eat everything from fish to seals to sharks and even other whales gluttonous things. if you have any doubt about the killer whale's apex status consider wildlife watchers off the coast of California who witnessed an orca attacking a great white shark. of course, the orca won no contest interactions between the two types...

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- Published: 2021-06-14
- Modified: 2021-06-14
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/moray-eels/

Morays belong to the family Muraenidae which also include Ribbon eels Rhinomuraena. Altogether there are over 200 species in 15 genera found although the world in tropical and subtropical seas. Most Moray eel species mainly found in marine waters with few exceptions to several species that are also seen in brackish waters for example Mud Morays (Gymonothorax tile) and (Gymnothorax polyuranodon). these two species are also known to tolerate Freshwater and live entirely in freshwater in captive conditions. Moray eels species come in a wide array of colors and patterns. But all morays lack Pectoral and Pelvic fins. They have a long dorsal fin that continues down their body merging with their caudal fin. Morays have poor vison and relay on Chemoreception and their keen sense of smell to find pray, their nostrils have been Developed into two tubes that sit on the top of their mouth. Moray eels are also found in array of sizes The smallest species been the Snyder's moray eel (Anarchias leucurus) which only grows up to just under 5in in Length. And the Largest species in this family is the Giant moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) measuring over 9. 8 feet in length and weighing over 30 kg in weight, some Giant moray eels are even to known to like more than 15years, in general the larger moray eel species tend to have a longer lifespan. Giant Moray eel (Gymnothorax javanicus) with diver One main characteristic that all morays have in common is their second set...

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- Published: 2021-06-01
- Modified: 2021-06-01
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/fire-on-a-vessel-off-sri-lankas-coast/

A fire on board a cargo ship off Sri Lanka’s coast continued to rage for the 11th straight day on Tuesday, causing what might be the region’s worst marine pollution in history. the residence MV X-Press Pearl, a Singapore-registered ship. According to press agency PTI, the vessel, carrying chemicals and raw materials for cosmetics, had traveled from Gujarat’s Hazira port to the Port of Colombo. The ship had over 300 metric tonnes of fuel in its tanks and was loaded with 1,486 containers carrying about 25 tonnes of hazardous aqua fortis. The blaze has reportedly destroyed most of the cargo on board. Along with columns of fumes rising into the sky, the incident has also led to tonnes of fuel and microplastics spilling into the Indian Ocean and killing its marine life, Guardian reported. The Sri Lankan Navy and therefore the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) are working to kill the Fire. Five tugboats are fire fighting, aided by a Sri Lankan navy ship. From the Indian side, two ships and an ICG aircraft are deployed to bring the fire in control. All crew members are evacuated. Aerial pictures released by Sri Lanka’s air force on May 25 showed the ship engulfed in flames and thick smoke. The presence of high winds is intensifying and spreading the blaze, Sri Lankan navy spokesman Indika de Silva told The Associated Press. Despite relief efforts, the vessel is probably going to sink and authorities are preparing for a serious oil spill. They reported the...

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- Published: 2021-05-18
- Modified: 2021-05-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/australias-first-fatal-shark-attack-in-2021-surfer-killed-in-shark-attack-near-popular-australia-beach/

https://www. reuters. com/world/asia-pacific/surfer-killed-shark-attack-australias-east-coast-2021-05-18/ A man has been killed in a suspected shark attack on Tuesday off a popular beach on the mid-north coast of Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state, rescuers reported. "Despite the best efforts of paramedics and bystanders at the scene, the man could not be resuscitated" NSW Ambulance said. https://twitter. com/NSWAmbulance/status/1394483218275962882? s=09 This incident was reported from Tuncurry Beach (Nine Mile Beach), New South Wales state, Australia. The man(victim) in his 50s, suffered fatal injuries to his upper right thigh from the shark attack while surfing. Authorities believe it was a great white shark. "When the attack occurred he did actually see the shark and called out to try and warn others," Police Superintendent Christopher Schilt said. This is Australia's first fatal shark attack in 2021. and 8 people were killed last year(2020), according to the Taronga Conservation Society. ©Pixabay https://teamwildfreaks. com/the-why-and-how-of-the-megalodon-extinction/ Sources: ASAF_2020_Shark_Attack_Summary https://www. 9news. com. au/national/tuncurry-beach-forster-man-attacked-by-shark/8984c0b5-b890-493c-9260-5c7ced36ab41 https://www. nbcnews. com/news/world/surfer-killed-shark-attack-near-popular-australia-beach-n1267720 https://www. reuters. com/world/asia-pacific/surfer-killed-shark-attack-australias-east-coast-2021-05-18/

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- Published: 2021-05-17
- Modified: 2021-05-17
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-why-and-how-of-the-megalodon-extinction/

Imagine swimming in the ocean. You’re splashing around, minding your own business, when all of a sudden a shark fin the size of a boat pops out of the water and heads straight towards you. That would probably be the last time you stepped foot in the ocean, if you made it out alive that is. The only shark that could have a dorsal fin of that size would belong to a megalodon. Luckily for you—and all of us—the megalodon went extinct around 3. 6 million years ago. But what caused this massive apex predator to die off? And is there a chance that it is still lurking in the depths of the oceans? The megalodon or Carcharocles megalodon first inhabited the oceans of planet Earth around 23 million years ago. They were the largest shark to ever live. Megalodons varied in size, but studies suggest that on average a female meg could be between 45 and 59 feet long. This range varies so widely because scientists need to extrapolate the size based on teeth and jaw fragments found in the fossil record. At this point in time, a full megalodon skeleton has not been found. However, from the remains we do have, it is clear that these creatures were enormous. Adult megalodons had no predators because of their massive body size. The shark’s main prey was small whales. That’s right, they ate whales, that's how big they were. Megalodons roamed every ocean of the world, although they stayed away...

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- Published: 2021-03-17
- Modified: 2021-05-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/saw-scaled-viper-echis-carinatus/

Saw Scaled Vipers are one of the smaller species of vipers found in Sri Lanka Restricted to the semi-arid zones of the northern and eastern parts of the island. Discription: Vipers in the Echis Genus lack the distinguished triangular shaped heads most vipers have, they rather have a short rounded head with large golden yellow eyes with vertical pupils, cylindrical shaped body covered with rough keeled and serrated costal scales with a short tail when threated or provoked display an alluring behavior, coils themselves into a striking position while moving the coils against each other the keels scales produce a loud hissing noise created by the friction almost of an from a sawmill hence the name "Saw" Scaled Viper Saw Scale Viper (Echis carinatus) | Yeistha Rodrigo Dorsally pale brown to tawny color with darker markings with a lighter undulating lines on these markings, saw scales have a distinguished marking of a shape bird's foot to like a dagger like shape on its head. Size: Longest recorded was 788mm specimen from India. on average adult specimen is about 450mm. Geographical Distribution and Habitat : (E. carinatus) is widely distributed in India unlike in Sri Lanka. and also recoded in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Masirah, Iran, U. A. E, Iraq and even some parts of Central Asia. The preferred habitat of saw scales are arid costal areas, semi deserts, also encountered in human Venom: Although Saw Scales are small snakes what they lack in size they come up in venom. these snakes...

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- Published: 2021-03-15
- Modified: 2022-04-07
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/buff-striped-keelback-amphiesma-stolatum/

Amphiesma stolatum (LINNAEUS, 1758) Amphiesma stolatum ©Yesitha Rodrigo There are 41 valid species in Genus Amphiesma around the world and Sri Lanka is home to only one species The Buff striped keelback (Amphiesma stolatum). it's a very timid non Venomous colubrid. unlike the other semi-aquatic snake for example Fowlea species which usually rapidly strikeout to bite when handled. Habitat often encountered in close proximity to water around habitats such as paddy fields, wetlands, flooded grasslands, ponds and even in home gardens. Buff striped keelbacks used to be a very common species encountered all though out Sri Lanka about a decade ago. But, in recent years theses snakes have been rather elusive. Amphiesma stolatum ©Chamod Gunathilake Geographical distribution Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Southern China. Description small cylindrical shaped body with keeled coastal scales with large eyes with rounded pupils. Dorsal colouration Olivaceous-light brown with irregular cross-bars with two prominent yellow dorso-lateral strips running from the neck to the tail tip. ventrally pearly white some individuals have scattered black spots anteriorly. two distinct colour morphs are known in the typical morph the overlapping margins of scales are blue-grey to pale blue in the erythrostictus colour morph these margins are replaced with bright vermilion colour. Amphiesma stolatum ©Chamod Gunathilake Amphiesma stolatum ©Chamod Gunathilake Size Largest specimen recorded is from India a female that measured 900mm. females are consistently larger than males males average roughly about 600mm in length. Diet their diet almost entirely consist of amphibians feeds...

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- Published: 2021-02-25
- Modified: 2021-06-08
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lankan-leopard-%f0%9d%98%97%f0%9d%98%a2%f0%9d%98%af%f0%9d%98%b5%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%a6%f0%9d%98%b3%f0%9d%98%a2-%f0%9d%98%b1%f0%9d%98%a2%f0%9d%98%b3%f0%9d%98%a5%f0%9d%98%b6%f0%9d%98%b4/

The Sri Lankan Leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) Fig 01. Panthera pardus kotiya ©Pixabay The Sri Lankan Leopard is a subspecies of the Panthera pardus, and is Endemic to Sri Lanka. It is commonly known as "kotiya". It is one of the 9 extant subspecies of leopards in the world, Paules Edward Pieris Deraniyagala first described it in 1956. S. L. Leopard is a digitigrade mammal that uses its clawed toes in locomotion. Although considered as a terrestrial mammal and it is the most arboreal member in its family (Family – Felidae) with several adaptive abilities to support climbing. The most common sightings of leopards feeding and resting are on trees. They are also good swimmers. Leopards are recorded to have been evolved since the Pleistocene era and distributed around the world. In Sri Lanka, the Leopard (P. p. kotiya) is distributed in most of the forestry patches (except the Western Province) in all habitat zones and in parts of the central highlands. At present due to habitat degradation leopards are recorded within human dwellings and vegetation as well. Characteristically, the S. L. Leopard has evolved to become a larger subspecies. It has a rusty yellow coat with black spots and close-set rosettes. This provides very good camouflage. There are also melanistic leopards (Black Panther) recorded in the country. In Leopards the melanism is caused by a recessive allele which means even spotted parents have the probability to give birth to melanistic offspring. In Sri Lanka until the recent tragedy of...

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- Published: 2021-02-15
- Modified: 2021-02-15
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/malpulutta-kretseri-ornate-paradisefish/

Malpulutta kretseri (Male) ©Unter_WasserSource: https://www. unter-wasser-freiburg. de/ Mal Pulutta As the common name suggests the clear blue flowers on the fins enhance their beauty. Malpulutta kretseri Introduced to the world as a new species of fish by zoologist PEP Deraniyagala in 1937, It was scientifically named Cretaceous in honour of Mr Kretseri, a Sri Lankan lawyer who first discovered it. Commonly known as Ornate Paradise Fish and has very similar morphological characteristics to Paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis). M. kretseri belongs to the Family Macropodinae and Genus Malpulutta which is an endemic genus to Sri Lanka. And it is the only fish that belongs to this genera. document. createElement('video'); https://teamwildfreaks. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/InShot_20210210_001630841. mp4 Malpulutta kretseri (Male) ©Shafran Packeer https://teamwildfreaks. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/InShot_20210210_002331548. mp4 Malpulutta kretseri(Male) ©Shafran Packeer Males are reddish-brown in colour and there are two parallel, black coloured, dotted lines on both lateral sides. Their caudal, dorsal and pelvic fins are more elongated than the female. And also their middle ray of the caudal fin is longer than other rays. It gives a pointed shape for the caudal fin. Females are light brown in colour and have rounded fins. They are much similar to Pseudosphromenus cupanus (Spiketail paradisefish). M. kretseri is a labyrinth fish species which means they have a lung-like labyrinth organ which helps to breathe atmospheric air. Hence they come to the surface from time to time to get air from the atmosphere. During spawning, the male builds a nest of air bubbles on the underside of an aquatic plant leaf...

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- Published: 2021-02-08
- Modified: 2021-02-08
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/bengal-swamp-eel-ophisternon-bengalense/

Ophisternon bengalense, the Bengal eel, Bengal mud eel or one-gill eel is recorded from South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to south-eastern Asia, Indonesia, Philippines and New Guinea. The fish may also found in Australia and Palau islands. This species was first introduced in 1844 by McClelland. Although some species live in clear flowing streams, most inhabit sluggish or standing waters, often with low oxygen content, commonly in dense vegetation or other covers, and are frequently burrowing or relating to, living in, or suited for both land and water. Many if not all species are capable of aerial respiration and can survive periodic drying of their environment. The adults may be found in both fresh and brackish waters along rivers and in swamps, frequently close to the river mouth. They are normally recorded among thick vegetation in muddy, still water bodies, such as lagoons, swamps, canals and rice fields. Fig 01. Close-up of the head of O. bengalense | ©Shafran Packeer grown-up swamp eels have for all intents and purposes no fins, the hatchlings have enormous pectoral fins which they use to fan water over their bodies, in this manner guaranteeing gas trade before their grown-up breathing contraption creates. When about a fortnight old they shed these fins and expect the grown-up structure. Fig 02. O. Bengalense | ©Shafran Packeer The body is eel-like, head flattened, eyes very small A single slit-like gill opening on the underside of the head. Dorsal and anal fins reduced to skin...

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- Published: 2021-02-02
- Modified: 2021-02-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/jawed-vs-jawless/

Both of jawless and jawed fish belong to the sub-phylum Vertebrata, also call as Craniate. Like the name, they have backbones. Vertebrates are one of the most successful groups of the animal at present. The successfulness is estimated according to a few topics such as having numerous families and species, distribution throughout the planet and various types of habitats, and the ability to survive from harsh conditions. It is mainly focused on adaptations. Adaptation is the biological mechanism by which organisms adjust to a new environment or to change their current environment. There are 3 different types of adaptations; behavioural, physiological and structural. We all know that at present, vertebrates are the most successful among all the animals. There are a lot of behavioural, morphological, and physiological variations among subphylum Vertebrata and it calls having a great diversity. The main adaptation that leads to the great diversity of vertebrates are improved respiration, protective and insulating body coverings, more efficient reproduction (especially on land), and paired, muscular appendages (having bilateral symmetry). Vertebrates are also known as craniate. It means they have a head and good cephalization. It leads them to be good predators and helps to win the competition for food easily. FIG 01. Hagfish sp. ©Smithsonian As mentioned before, the sub-phylum Vertebrata are divided into 2 groups call Agnatha and Gnathostomata. Agnatha is a group of primitive jawless vertebrates which includes the two groups as Hyperotreti and Hypercartia. As mentioned above, since there is a great diverse in subphylum Vertebrata,...

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- Published: 2021-01-16
- Modified: 2021-01-16
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/%f0%9d%98%96%f0%9d%98%b1%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%aa%f0%9d%98%a4%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%b5%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%ba%f0%9d%98%b4-%f0%9d%98%a5%f0%9d%98%a6%f0%9d%98%b4%f0%9d%98%aa%f0%9d%98%ad%f0%9d%98%b7ai/

𝘖𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘵𝘩𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘪 | Lesser Swamp Eel | ©Shafran Packeer This group is widely distributed in lowland fresh and occasionally brackish waters in the tropics and subtropics. Although some species live in clear flowing streams, most inhabit sluggish or standing waters, often with low oxygen content, commonly in dense vegetation or other cover, and are frequently burrowing or amphibious. Many if not all species are capable of aerial respiration and can survive periodic drying of their environment. grown-up swamp eels have for all intents and purposes no fins, the hatchlings have enormous pectoral fins which they use to fan water over their bodies, in this manner guaranteeing gas trade before their grown-up breathing contraption creates. When about a fortnight old they shed these fins and expect the grown-up structure. Most types of swamp eel are bisexual, beginning life as females and later changing to male, however, a few eels start life as males and don’t change sex. Sri Lanka is home for two species of Swamp Eels. Ophichthys desilvai Ophichthys desilvai ©Shafran Packeer Previously known as Monopterus desilvai, classified under the genus Monopterus, recently classified under the genus Ophichthys. This species was first introduced in 1998 by renowned Zoologist Sampath de Alwis Goonethilake. He has named this swamp eel as Monopterus desilvai in honour Philip Hewa Don Hemasiri de Silva, a former director and botanist at the National Museum. It was first encountered by a group of school children in 1976 in a paddy field environment in Marawila on the coast...

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- Published: 2021-01-05
- Modified: 2021-01-05
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lankan-pipe-snake-%f0%9d%98%8a%f0%9d%98%ba%f0%9d%98%ad%f0%9d%98%aa%f0%9d%98%af%f0%9d%98%a5%f0%9d%98%b3%f0%9d%98%b0%f0%9d%98%b1%f0%9d%98%a9%f0%9d%98%aa%f0%9d%98%b4-%f0%9d%98%ae%f0%9d%98%a2/

Sri Lankan Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis maculatus) ©Yesitha Rodrigo Sri Lankan Pipe Snake is a rather bizarre look snake that spends most of its time underground in loose soil emerging to the surface after sunsets often seen after a slight rainfall. This is an endemic species to Sri Lanka With a cylindrical shaped smooth body with iridescent scales and a very short tail. When threatened these snakes flattens themselves and often hides their head under the flattened coils of their bodies and rises up their tails. This causes their predators to think that it’s the head they have raised up and attempts to attack the tails this gives a fighting chance for theses snakes to escape without harm to their head or vital organs. When threatened | Sri Lankan Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis maculatus) © Yesitha Rodrigo Sri Lankan Pipe Snakes are found in the wet zone of Sri Lanka up to and above sea level can be seen in habitats such as rainforests, plantations, and even home gardens. These Snakes are Non-Venomous feeding on earthworms and other fossorial snakes even their own kind. Doesn’t usually attempt to bite if handled but if bitten a bite can be extremely painful. This is an ovoviviparous species giving birth to live young 1-15 young one in a Clutch measuring around 10cm when they are born adult specimens can reach over 2 feet in length. Smooth, shiny and iridescent scales |Sri Lankan Pipe Snake (Cylindrophis maculatus) © Yesitha Rodrigo Suggestions: Sri Lankan Green Pit Viper...

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- Published: 2021-01-01
- Modified: 2021-01-01
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/two-leopard-attacks-within-three-days-at-kumana-national-park-1-killed/

Fig 01. Panthera pardus kotiya ©Pixabay One man was reportedly killed by a leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) inside the Kumana National Park. This news was reported on the second last day of the year 2020 (30th of December 2020). Right after 2 days; 01st of January 2021, another attack was reported within the same area of Kudumbigala Sanctuary. According to environmentalists; both of these attacks might be done by the same leopard. Today's (01/01/2021) victim was rescued and admitted to Ampara hospital. The man that was killed by a leopard on 30/12/2020 was a farmer and his agriculture land is situated inside the Kudumbigala Sanctuary where the leopards are constant. Around 10 PM the victim was attacked by the leopard and killed in the premises. The dead body was taken by the police for further investigations. After today's (01/01/2021) incident a few locals(riots) were arrested by the police. http://www. newswire. lk/2020/12/31/leopard-kills-farmer-in-kudumbigala-sanctuary/ On 19th of April 2019, a leopard had attacked the group of labourers who were attending to internal road development work in Okanda area at the Kumana National Park. One man was killed and another seriously wounded in this attack. The leopard was shot killed in the premises. One of This news was reported from the area that situated just 10km away from the recent incident. https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=bBQa4qg--6g References: https://www. facebook. com/104322651577456/posts/108972021112519/? app=fbl https://www. facebook. com/leopocon/posts/108972021112519/ https://www. newsfirst. lk/2019/04/19/leopard-kills-man-inside-kumana-national-park/ Check out our other article: A dangerous killer cat that has taken over 400 human lives

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- Published: 2020-12-21
- Modified: 2020-12-21
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/dangerous-killer-cat-that-has-taken-over-400-human-lives/

Chances are that you, like most people, tend to go for a swim in the ocean with no small amount of trepidation. You've seen Jaws, you know what's out there, lurking and waiting, possibly hungry and with an eye on you right now. The fact that you typically can't see more than a few inches in turbulent seawater doesn't really help matters any, so you decide to stick to the shallows- except the shallows is where most shark attacks happen. Yet while you're afraid of being eaten by a shark, what you should really be afraid of is tigers. Sharks kill on average 5 whole people a year, that's such a pathetic figure that we haven't researched it, but we're pretty sure more people die every year from sneezing to death than shark attacks. Despite these paltry numbers, there's likely not a single day you've been to the beach that you haven't eyed the waters warily, and with no small amount of trepidation for the ancient, prehistoric, cold-blooded killer that could be lurking beneath the waves right now. While sharks are putting up rookie numbers though, Tigers are the Lebron James of animal fatalities, putting up real pro numbers on the board. On average, 85 people a year are killed or injured by tigers, and most of those fatalities occur in India. Thanks to a massively successful conservation effort, tiger numbers have rebounded from near-extinction, and tigers decided to say thank you by doing what tigers have done for hundreds...

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- Published: 2020-12-16
- Modified: 2020-12-16
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-native-cichlids-in-sri-lanka/

Cichlid, any of quite 1,300 species of fishes of the Cichlidae (order Perciformes), many of which are popular aquarium fishes. Cichlids are primarily freshwater fishes and are found in tropical America, mainland Africa and Madagascar, and southern Asia. the bulk of species are African, appearing in great diversity within the major African lakes. Cichlids are rather deep-bodied and have one nostril (rather than the standard two) on all sides of the top. The lateral line organ is discontinuous, and there are three or more anal spines. they typically have rounded tails and, though sizable for aquarium fishes, usually don't grow longer than about 30 cm (12 inches). In many species, the rear edges of the dorsal and anal fins are pointed and therefore the pelvic fins are elongated. Depending on the species, cichlids range from vegetarian to carnivorous. they're noted for his or her complex mating and breeding behaviour. This usually involves courtship and preparation, maintenance, and defence of the nest and protection of the new young. In certain species, however, referred to as mouth breeders, the eggs aren't placed during a nest but are carried within the mouth of the parent until hatched. This mouthbrooding behaviour is common to several species of the Tilapia and also to certain other Old World genera. two species are found naturally in Sri Lanka Etroplus maculatus (Orange Chromide) The Orange chromide is a species of cichlid that's endemic to freshwater and brackish streams, lagoons and estuaries in southern India and Sri Lanka. The...

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- Published: 2020-11-06
- Modified: 2020-11-06
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/latest-discoveries-about-genus-ahaetulla/

There are 17 species that belong to genus Ahaetulla in the world and Sri Lanka is home for 2 of them. (Ahaetulla cf nasuta) (Ahaetulla pulverulenta) They are Distributed over South and South-east Asia. (Ahaetulla prasina had been recorded from China also). All are slightly venomous and arboreal snakes. Usually feeding on frogs,birds small mammals, geckos,and other small snakes. They are well-camouflaged because most of them are green or brown in colour. Vine Snakes have an oblong head and relatively larger eyes with horizontal pupils. They provide them with an excellent, wide field of view. All Ahaetulla species are diurnal. Ahaetulla nasuta was known as distributed over South and South East Asia. But now onwards according to the latest research on this genius, It is (Ahaetulla cf nasuta) is an endemic species to Sri Lanka. According to their are genetic and morphological differences between the first specimen that was discovered from Sri Lanka and specimens from Laos and India. Ahaetulla pulverulenta was known as distributed throughout India and the Dry zone of Sri Lanka. But according to the latest studies, the species from the Western Ghats are not similar to Ahaetulla pulverulenta and A. pulverulenta is named as an endemic species to Sri Lanka. Because they are morphologically different from other specimens that were collected from the Western Ghats. As these new discoveries, the number of endemic snake species of Sri Lanka is increased to 58. Source: zootaxa Fig 01. Ahaetulla nasuta | Chamod Gunathilake Fig 02. Ahaetulla pulverulenta |Yesitha...

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- Published: 2020-11-02
- Modified: 2020-11-06
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/why-more-than-100-whales-beached-on-the-panadura-coastsri-lanka/

It is reported that more than 100 whales have been dumped on the Panadura beach. The whales have been stranded on the beach since this afternoon. It is reported that despite the curfew being imposed, some locals are making great efforts to repatriate the whales. Police, with the assistance of the Coast Guard, have launched an operation to rescue the whales. Sri Lanka Police and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard launched an operation to send these whales back to the sea without causing any harm. Asha de Vos, a Sri Lankan marine biologist said based on the images obtained the whales are believed to be pilot whales. She said a similar event took place in Sampur several years ago, adding the largest such beaching of whales took place in Australia a month ago. De Vos went on to note, biologists still do not understand why these events take place however say the beaching could occur as pilot whales move in groups and when one of them gets too close the shore, the others also stay close that particular whale. She said these whales need to be floated and carefully pushed back into the sea adding if they come up on to the beach, it would be harmful to the survival of the pilot whales. Why do whales beach themselves? Cetacean stranding, more commonly referred to as beaching, refers to the phenomenon of dolphins and whales stranding themselves on beaches. There are around 2,000 strandings each year worldwide, with most resulting...

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- Published: 2020-10-29
- Modified: 2020-11-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/green-pit-viper/

Sri Lankan Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus) Fig 01. Sri Lankan Green Pit Viper | ©Yesitha Rodrigo Sri Lankan Green pit vipers are endemic species to Sri Lanka and the only species of the Trimeresurus genus found in Sri Lanka. Arboreal species of a viper with a medium-sized and thick sluggish looking body with a strong prehensile tail and imbricate smooth yet keeled costal "Body scales". Generally nocturnal but alert during the day. This species is commonly found in the rainforest in the wet zone. Yet distributed all thought out the three main climatic zones up to 1800 meters above sea level. Can be seen in a wide range of habitats from rainforests, submontane forests, riverine forests, tea and coffee plantation to home gardens near the buffer zones of forests. Green pit vipers have a wide array of colour variations from typically green with a black pattern to a turquoise blue or to a completely patternless Green to Bule snakes. Generally, with a black-tipped tail. Fig 02. Light blue colour morph with Black coloured patches Fig 03. Green colour morph with Black coloured patches | ©Chamod Gunathilake Fig 04. Green coloured Patternless morph | ©Yesitha Rodrigo These snakes are ambush hunters often some individuals can be found in the same place for weeks or more till they find a meal. Feeding on frogs, lizards, birds, small mammals juveniles are known to feed on insects. They have two heat-sensing pits in between their eye and nostrils hence the name "Pit Vipers"...

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- Published: 2020-10-28
- Modified: 2020-10-28
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/gollum-snakehead/

Gollum Snakehead (Aenigmachanna gollum) Better known as Dragon Snakehead, "the most exciting discovery in the fish world last decade! ". Most of websites and newspapers have reported this news like that including Mongabay and Natgeo Wild. What is this dragon-like fish? Is it important? The shortest answer is yes, this is the most important discovery in the fish world in the last decade. And also this is the biggest cavefish that recorded from India. Researcher Rajeev Raghavan, a fish researcher at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, and Ralf Britz, an ichthyologist at Senckenberg Natural History Collections, part of the Museum of Zoology in Dresden, Germany conducted research about an accidentally met fish species. Actually, the way that fish recorded was literally unbelievable. "The saga began in early 2018, when researcher Rajeev Raghavan, a study co-author and fish researcher at Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, spotted a post on Indian social media from a person who found and photographed an odd fish retrieved from their backyard well. Raghavan sent the photo to Britz, who had “no idea what it was,” Britz says—not the species, genus, or family. Britz travelled to India after Raghavan and other colleagues had collected more specimens, to scientifically describe the fish. " Says the National Geographic website. After a few months, the research paper was published in Zootaxa in May 2019, as a new species. And also a new genus. The genus was named as Aenigmachanna and the new species was named Aenigmachanna...

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- Published: 2020-10-26
- Modified: 2020-10-26
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/how-this-drug-lord-created-a-hippo-problem-in-colombia/

Hey, you know Pablo Escobar, the drug lord. Yeah, Pablo Escobar was one of the most infamous and most successful drug lords in history. The guy had an entire empire of cocaine production and trafficking throughout the world. “One of the world’s most wanted men. drug trafficker Pablo Escobar is also accused of murder and terrorism. ”And with all of his drug money, he wanted to build a private zoo. He imported giraffes and exotic animals from all over the world, including four hippos. When Pablo Escobar was shot and killed in the early ’90s, the government came in and reclaimed his estate. And they took all the animals and distributed them out to other zoos, except for the hippopotamuses. They didn’t touch the hippos. They just let them go free into the swamp. These hippos are now a ticking time bomb. Today there are 50 of these hippos. They proliferated very quickly, and they are now a big problem for the Colombian government and a threat to these locals. To understand why this is such a big deal, you have to understand hippos. Hippos are huge mammals native to the continent of Africa, and they’re pretty aggressive. Some call hippos the most ferocious mammals on the planet. But wait, aren’t hippos cute, cuddly animals? There’s that one scene in “Fantasia” where the hippos are dancing ballet with the crocodiles, and it’s the crocodiles that seem scary, not the hippos. Well, the reality is actually the exact opposite. Hippos routinely...

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- Published: 2020-10-24
- Modified: 2020-10-24
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/rare-albino-indian-rock-python-was-recorded-from-sri-lanka/

Wildlife officials in the Ritigala forest have taken rescue an albino Indian rock python, that was in the Dutuwewa area in Galenbindunuwewa, Anuradhapura. The Department of Wildlife Conservation is working to find out more about this animal. A condition with no dark pigments, leaving a bright yellow and white in the skin is called "albinism". Despite various opinions on social media, it has been successfully rescued by wildlife conservation officials. Special thanks to Mr Sahanjith Weragama, Assistant Director, Anuradhapura Wildlife Zone, Ganewalpola and Ritigala Wildlife Conservation Officers and officers of the Anuradhapura Wildlife Veterinary Unit for their efforts in rescuing this python. https://teamwildfreaks. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Your-Facebook-Video-fbdown. net_. mp4 https://teamwildfreaks. com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Your-Facebook-Video-fbdown. net-1. mp4

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- Published: 2020-10-11
- Modified: 2023-01-21
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/reasons-for-the-success-of-sponges-phylum-porifera/

Fig 01. Bath sponges Sponges; the most primary phylum of Kingdom Animalia. They are also called Poriferans because they belong to Phylum Porifera. The Latin name "Porifera" stands for "pore-bearers". Sponges are the simplest of Kingdom Animalia, they don't have either germ layers or typical organ systems such as respiratory, circulatory, digestive, or excretory. They are consisting of a jelly-like layer called mesohyl, between two thin cell layers. The outermost cell layer is called as Pinacoderm while the inner cell layer is called a choanoderm. There are pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them in the body. Poriferans are multicellular animals that only live in water(aquatic). 98% of species are marine while the other 2% are freshwater species. They are found in shallow ocean environments to depths as great as five kilometres, from polar regions (Antarctic & Arctic) to tropical regions, in seagrass lands, coral reefs, and mangroves. Adults are attached to the substratum(sessile). Still, they are the simplest of invertebrates in the current world, sponges are relatively well-diverse and distributed animals. Fig 02. "Pore bearers" What is the secret behind the success of Phylum Porifera? https://www. instagram. com/p/Ba-OdXolDUr/? igshid=k1e8foljd26c The shortest answer is having an aquiferous system. What is this aquiferous system? Aquiferous systems can be found only in Sponges. It means it is a unique feature of the sponges. As mentioned above, they don't have a mouth, germ layers, or organ systems. But this aquiferous system acts as a multi-purpose system. On the other hand, Sponges...

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- Published: 2020-10-03
- Modified: 2020-10-07
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/a-new-horned-lizard-species-from-sri-lanka-ceratophora-ukuwelai/

Ceratophora ukuwelai - Ukuwela's Rough Rorned Lizard The 6th species of Genus Ceratophora was discovered by Mr Sameera Suranjan and the team. Ceratophora is an endemic genus to Sri Lanka. They are called Horned-Lizards. It had 5 different species. Ceratophora stoddartii Ceratophora tennentii Ceratophora aspera Ceratophora erdelenni Ceratophora karu All of them are restricted to the wet zone of Sri Lanka and C. aspera shows the widest distribution among them. The last species (C. erdelenni/ C. karu) were described by Mr Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi and Mr Rohan Pethiyagoda in 1998. With the newly described species, Ceratophora ukuwelai the number of species of genus Ceratophora is increased to 6. The research team compared the museum specimen of C. aspera and specimens from Low-land wet zone they realized that there was a difference between those specimens. After some morphological and genetic researches, they described a new species from Salgala Forest, Kegalle. The new species is named in honour of Dr Kanishka Ukuwela, Evolutionary Biologist and Herpetologist, Senior lecturer of the University of Rajarata for the incomparable contribution he had done for conservation and studies of Sri Lankan biodiversity. It is called Ukuwela’s Rough Horned Lizard (Ceratophora ukuwelai). There is a 9. 6% of (ND2) mitochondrial DNA distance between two species. Researchers said that most probably these two species were separated before about 7. 8 million years. There are few morphological differences between C. aspera and C. ukuwelai. C. ukuwelai has a higher number of supraciliary scales, ventral scales, and paravertebral scales. This species...

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- Published: 2020-09-14
- Modified: 2020-10-03
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/russells-viper/

Russell's Viper තිත් පොළඟා (Daboia russelii-Shaw & Nodder, 1797) FROM https://www. istockphoto. com/ Russell's Viper belongs to the subfamily Viperidae, which is considered to be true vipers. Among the species of snakes living in Sri Lanka, most deadly due to snake bites of Russell's Viper. Russell's Viper is common in all climates except the high mountains, which have a very cold climate, up to 1500m above sea level to the central highlands. The tail of this snake is very short and small compared to the body size. The abdomen is white or yellowish-white. The body comes in a range of colors from light yellow to brown. The main feature of this snake is its brown spots that extend from the head to the end of the tail. In some animals, these spots are intertwined in the shape of a chain. These spots are bilateral on the body but relatively small in size. The dotted border has a black border and another fine white border around the border, which gives it a beautiful color and dotted pattern. There is a triangular flat head clearly separated from the neck. There is a white "V" shaped white mark on the front of the head, which is in dorsal. This mark is also a factor that can be used to identify this species of snake. Another distinguishing feature of the head is the two large brown spots that touch the aforementioned V-shaped mark to the head. Like other snakes in the Daboia genus, Russell's...

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- Published: 2020-08-26
- Modified: 2020-08-26
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/anawilundawa-sanctuary-excavated-for-prawn-farming/

Anawilundawa sanctuary, Ramsar site, excavated for prawn farming last night (25. 8. 2020). The wetlands of Anawilundawa remain an important resource in the livelihoods and food security of its local communities. The preservation of wetlands is essential for biodiversity and sustaining livelihoods, and marks the significance and relevance of wetlands in achieving the new Sustainable Development Goals. In the Anawilundawa wetlands, it is up to researchers, policymakers, government officials, and the local community to ensure the preservation of the wetlands for future generations. The Anawilundawa Bird Sanctuary is situated in the Puttalam district in the North-Western province in Sri Lanka; between Chilaw and Puttlam – to be more specific - it is situated between the coast and the Chilaw-Puttalam railway line. The uniqueness of Anawilundawa is its immediate proximity to three vastly different ecosystems; the coast, the mangroves, and the freshwater tanks making it one of the six RAMSAR Wetlands in Sri Lanka. This unique ecological setting has made it a favorable nesting and breeding ground for hundreds of species of birds. It is set out on 1,397 hectares of forest land and comprises of nine tanks; six giant manmade cascading tanks namely Pinkattiya, Maradansola, Anawilundawa, Mayyawa, Surawila and Vellawali and three secondary tanks, each one connected with the other and working as one unit. These tanks store water for irrigation and cultivation and act as a natural habitat and refuge for 150 species of waterbirds in addition to a few species of threatened Fish, Amphibians, Mammals, and Reptiles. Some...

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- Published: 2020-08-12
- Modified: 2020-08-12
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/genus-echis/

Echis Merrem, 1820 is a genus that includes venomous vipers. They are distributed over the dry regions of Africa, the Middle East, India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) is one of the most endangered venomous snakes in Sri Lanka, spreading over a very limited geographical area. We believe that this species of the snake got its name from the sand dunes due to its arid ecosystems and its limited distribution to coastal areas with small sand dunes. Although Saw-Scaled Viper is also found in the Indian subcontinent, the Sri Lankan Saw-Scaled Viper population is smaller in size (length) than the Indian population. This snake species is easily recognizable by its body size and the sound produced by the scales rubbing against each other as a precaution. The body is small but has a strong cylindrical shape. Coarse body covered with scales with clear keel often grey or brown. The colour pattern consists of the pale buff, greyish, reddish, olive or pale brown ground colour, overlaid middorsal with a range of variably coloured, but mostly whitish spots, edged with dark brown, and separated by lighter inter spot patches. A set of white bows run dorsolaterally. the top of the head features a bird footprint/trident pattern and there's a faint stripe running from the eye to the angle of the jaw. The belly is white and has a brown dot on each scale. the tail is short Although primarily a nocturnal terrestrial snake, it is also reported to travel...

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- Published: 2020-08-09
- Modified: 2020-08-09
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/a-new-discovery-about-channa-orientalis-the-only-pelvic-fin-less-channa-species-in-sri-lanka-by-a-team-of-sri-lankan-researchers/

Recently a group of researchers from Sri Lanka revealed a new species in genus rasbora (read more). Today a research paper by the same group has published in the journal Ichthyological Research. This time they have explained the taxonomic identity of the only pelvic-fin less Channa in Sri Lanka: Channa Orientalis. In this study they have revelled Channa Orientalis in Sri Lanka is composed of two geographically and phylogenetically discrete lineages but which show remarkable morphological stasis. Also, the type locality of Channa orientalis as southwestern Sri Lanka, supported by some evidence. The also claimed The word "Channa", the generic name of snakeheads may have originated from the Sinhala local name for this group of fishes: "kanaya" As the type species of the genus Channa, the identification of the pelvic-finless snakehead Channa orientalis Bloch is important to channid systematics. Although this name has been added to a Sri Lankan species for the past 160 years. Channa orientalis is distinguished from other species of Channa by the absence of pelvic fins, adult colouration in life, dorsal- and anal-fin ray counts, number of vertebrae, and scale counts. " The research was conducted by Hiranya Sudasinghe, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Ranasinghe Hettiarachchige Tharindu Ranasinghe, Madhava Meegaskumbura, and Ralf Britz. The research article was published in the journal Ichthyological Research(https://bit. ly/3kuCF80). "Bravo! ", This is the 2nd article by Mr. Hiranya Sudasinghe that got published this week. We wish you good luck with your works. #TeamWildFreaks Click here to visit the article.

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- Published: 2020-08-04
- Modified: 2020-08-05
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/rasbora-adisi/

https://www. facebook. com/1020193112/posts/10220821487259901/? app=fbl Rasbora is a genus of fish that belongs to the family Cyprinidae. they're distributed all over freshwater habitats in South and Southeast Asia, also as southeast China. Several species are regularly kept in aquariums. There are 80 different species in the world and Sri Lanka is home for 6 species including the new species Rasbora adisi. Rasbora is the most distributed fish genus and Rasbora dandia is the most common freshwater fish species in Sri Lanka. According to the latest studies Rasbora dandia is distributed all over the island, and Rasbora microcephalus is distributed in Nothern and Southwestern areas. These two species are non-endemic Rasbora species that present in Sri Lanka. From the other 4 endemic species, Rasbora wilpita and Rasbora armitagei is restricted to shaded rain-forest streams, Rasbora naggsi is distributed in the Southern part and Rasbora adisi is distributed in the Eastern part of the island (Sudasinghe et al. , 2020). https://www. facebook. com/100000491679409/posts/3828796090480076/? app=fbl The research was conducted by Hiranya Sudasinghe, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Ranasinghe Hettiarachchige Tharindu Ranasinghe, Rajeev Raghavan, Neelesh Dahanukar, and Madhava Meegaskumbura. The research article was published in the Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research (https://onlinelibrary. wiley. com/doi/abs/10. 1111/jzs. 12395). This is the first-ever molecular phylogeny of the genus Rasbora in Sri Lanka. The new species, (Rasbora adisi) was named with a noun in apposition, which means mysterious or enigmatic in Sinhala. This is the 5th new freshwater fish species discovered by Mr. Hiranya Sudasinghe this year. We wish you...

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- Published: 2020-08-03
- Modified: 2020-11-06
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-genus-ahaetulla-in-sri-lanka/

Genus Ahaetulla is commonly known as Vine Snakes and classified under Family Colubridae. There are 11 different species in the world; Ahaetulla anomala ANNANDALE, 1906 Ahaetulla dispar (GÜNTHER, 1864) Ahaetulla fasciolata (FISCHER, 1885) Ahaetulla fronticincta (GÜNTHER, 1858) Ahaetulla laudankia DEEPAK, NARAYANAN, SARKAR, DUTTA & MOHAPATRA, 2019 Ahaetulla mycterizans (LINNAEUS, 1758) Ahaetulla nasuta LACÉPÈDE, 1789 Ahaetulla perroteti (DUMÉRIL, BIBRON & DUMÉRIL, 1854) Ahaetulla prasina (BOIE, 1827) Ahaetulla pulverulenta (DUMÉRIL, BIBRON & DUMÉRIL, 1854) Proahaetulla antiqua MALLIK, ACHYUTHAN, GANESH, PAL, VIJAYAKUMAR & SHANKER, 2019 and Sri Lanka is home for 2 of them. Ahaetulla nasuta LACÉPÈDE, 1789 Ahaetulla pulverulenta (DUMÉRIL, BIBRON & DUMÉRIL, 1854) They are Distributed over South and South-east Asia. (Ahaetulla prasina had been recorded from China also). All are mildly venomous and arboreal snakes. Usually feed on frogs, small lizards, geckos, and other small snakes. They are well-camouflaged because most of them are green or brown in colour. Vine Snakes have an oblong head and relatively larger eyes with horizontal pupils. They provide them an excellent, wide field of view. All Ahaetulla species are diurnal. Fig 1. Horizontal Pupil of Ahaetulla nasuta | Chamod Gunathilake© (Ahaetulla nasuta) Green Vine Snake Fig 2. Ahaetulla nasuta | Yesitha Rodrigo© The Green Vine Snake is a diurnal species seen commonly though out the island. Dorsally bright to dull green with black and white marks hidden between their scales with a long tail and slender body to navigate easily through branches or trees and bushes which spend most of their arboreal lifestyle on....

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- Published: 2020-07-21
- Modified: 2020-07-21
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-scorpions-of-sri-lanka/

Scorpions belong to Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Arthropoda, Class Arachnida, and Order Scorpiones. There are about 2000 species of scorpions all over the world except polar regions. They are classified under 6 superfamilies and 13 families. Around 30 - 40 species are venomous and have the ability to kill a human. Scorpions are mainly carnivorous animals and usually feed on insects. Thus, they are pest controllers and beneficial. Their body is divided into 3 main parts call cephalothorax, pre-abdomen, post-abdomen like other arthropods. The 4 pairs of walking legs are attached to the pre-abdomen and they help to protect from predators and catch prey. The pedipalps pair is attached to the cephalothorax and it uses to catch prey and protect themselves. The post-abdomen is made-up of metasomal segments. At the end of the post-abdomen (tail), there is the sharp and pointed sting and it is used to sting for catching prey and protection. All the scorpions are venomous but there are different levels of venomous according to the LD50 value. Annually 1. 2 million scorpion stings and about 3250 are recorded. At present Egypt has the most deaths by scorpion stings per year. Scorpions have distributed only over 5 continents ( South America, North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia). Commonly they live in rain-forests, deserts and disturbed human habitats from sea level to around 5000m. Usually, they have been found on shady places such as under rocks, fallen logs, and among dead epidermal shales on trees. Sometimes even in man-made habitats...

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- Published: 2020-07-14
- Modified: 2020-07-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/a-new-endemic-snake-species-from-balangoda-sri-lanka/

A new endemic snake species from Balangoda, Sri Lanka. Rhinophis mendisi, Genus Rhinophis (Shieldtails) is one of the most numerous genus in Sri Lanka. There are currently 17 species of Shieldtails found in Sri Lanka and all of them are endemic. This is the second Rhinophis species discovered in this week and the new species was named after Senior reptile and amphibian scientist Mr. Mendis Wickramasinghe. The research article was published in the first issue of the Zootaxa science journal (Journal) today (2020-07-13), Volume 4810. The new species was discovered by David J. Gower, a herpetology researcher at the Museum of Natural History in London using his early collected specimens. The referred specimen of the new species out of five specimens were collected probably between 1894 and 1925. Rhinophis mendisi, morphologically similar to Rhinophis homolepis. The main difference between these two species is having differrent amount of ventral scales (159-177 for R. mendisi and more than 195 for R. homolepis). The new species is known as Mendis ge Tudulla in Sinhala and Mendis’s Shieldtail in English. Restricted to Balangoda area in Sri Lanka. With this discovery, there are 18 species of Shieldtails found in Sri Lanka, bringing the total number of snakes to 108. And also, this is the 4th new snake species described in 2020, and the second species named after Mr. Mendis Wikramasinghe (Dendrelaphis wickrorum). Mr. Mendis Wickramasinghe Source: https://www. mapress. com/j/zt/article/view/zootaxa. 4810. 3. 6 Check out our another Article: Introduction to Geckos of Sri Lanka

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- Published: 2020-07-12
- Modified: 2020-07-13
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/a-new-endemic-snake-species-from-the-knuckles-mountain-range-in-sri-lanka/

A new endemic snake species from the knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka Rhinophis gunasekarai, One of the most numerous species of reptile in Sri Lanka, Shieldtails is a species of blind snake. There are currently 16 species of Shieldtails found in Sri Lanka and all of them are endemic. Senior reptile and amphibian scientist Mendis Wickramasinghe and his team have been able to introduce a new species of snake found in the Knuckles (Dumbara) Biodiversity Exploration. This new discovery science journal is published in the first issue of the zootaxa science journal (Journal) today (2020-07-09), Volume 4810. This new species of snake, similar in appearance to the striped vulture, is found in the highlands of Riverstone. Samantha Gunasekera, a former Deputy Director of Customs and an environmentalist who is also a member of the World Orchid Specialist Group, which conducts research on orchid species in Sri Lanka, has named this new snake species in his honor in recognition of his great service to the flora and fauna. The new species is known as Gunasekara's Tudulla in Sinhala and Gunasekara's Shieldtail in English. By setting up the Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection (BCNP) Branch at the Customs, Mr. Gunasekera was able to prevent a large number of crimes, such as theft of Sri Lanka's biological and antiquities resources abroad. In addition, one of Sri Lanka's 20 endangered stamps for World Wildlife Day 2020 has been featured for this species. One of the distinguishing features of Gunasekera's furrows is the...

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- Published: 2020-07-06
- Modified: 2020-07-15
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/the-ecosystem-of-hydrothermal-vent/

Hydrothermal vents are holes that form in areas of seamounts and inject heat from mantle wedge. Most of them are located along continental plate boundaries. There is a core in the middle of the earth. At divide into two parts call inner core and outer core. The inner core is made up of iron and nickel. It is about 1,220 km thick and unlikely the outer core; the inner core is mostly solid. The outer core is about 2,400 km thick and made up of iron and nickel. The outer core is lies between the inner core and the mantle of the earth. The mantle is made off of silicate rocks that rich in magnesium and iron. The mantle also divides into 2 layers call mantle and upper mantle. There is a semi-solid, moveable layer call Asthenosphere between the upper mantle and the mantle. Asthenosphere has no strength. The lithosphere is located above the asthenosphere. The lithosphere is made up of the upper mantle and crust. Crush is 0-100 m thick, the stony layer that divided into two different types. They are oceanic lithosphere and continental lithosphere. Those hydrothermal vents are located on the oceanic lithosphere. The internal heat is formed in the core of the earth. Heat is absorbed by silicate rocks and they form into the magmatic fluid. They go upwards through the mantle, asthenosphere, and the upper mantle. The oxygenated, cold sea-water is coming through the fissures that located on the oceanic crust around the hydrothermal vent....

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- Published: 2020-07-06
- Modified: 2020-07-06
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-family-aplocheilidae-in-sri-lanka/

Order: Cyprinodontiformes. Family: Aplocheilidae Aplocheilus is a genus of killifish in the family Aplocheilidae. Their native range is in South and Southeast Asia. Several species, remarkably the striped panchax, A. lineatus, are important aquarium fishes. They are adapted to live just under the water surface. Hence, their dorsal fin is located much close to the caudal fin and their mouth is oriented upwards (Superior Mouth). Sri Lanka is home to three species Name Binomial Status Ceylon killifish Aplocheilus dayi endemic, EN Dwarf panchax Aplocheilus parvus non-endemic, LC Werner's killifish Aplocheilus werneri endemic, EN Aplocheilus dayi (Steindachner,1892) / Sri Lankan Day's Killifish / උඩ හඳයා / Uda Handaya Aplocheilus dayi | Male | Uditha Hettige© It is a very beautiful fish species endemic to Sri Lanka. This species belongs to the genus Aplocheilus with very colorful body patterns. Yellowish white spots on the head are important for identification. There are three black dots on the lateral triangle of the male's body. In female females, there are about 6-7 vertical scales on the lateral part of the body above the anus. Males' fins are pointed and females have fins with round edges. It can be seen in well-drained, slow-flowing streams and sometimes in lagoon-based ecosystems. Swimming is seen on the upper surface of the water plane. In particular, the Kelani and Kalu river basins reside in the wet zone. The maximum length is about 5 cm. A species endangered due to environmental degradation and habitat loss. Aplocheilus werneri / Werner's Killifish /...

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- Published: 2020-07-01
- Modified: 2020-07-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/over-350-of-elephants-found-dead-in-botswana/

https://www. facebook. com/gilbert. talam. 5/posts/2680889225500969 Two months ago (early May) Dr. McCann undertook a flight over the Okavango delta and "We spotted 169 in a three-hour flight. " he said. It is impossible to see that much of dead elephants in a 3-hour flight. By mid-June, the mortality rate of elephants was increased by 70% and now more than 350 elephants have died only in two months. Still, no one knows the reason for this mass die-off and scientists described that as a “conservation disaster”. https://www. instagram. com/p/CCHZncWAdLG/? utm_source=ig_web_copy_link “This is a mass die-off on a level that hasn’t been seen in a very, very long time. Outside of drought, I don’t know of a die-off that has been this significant,” said Dr. Niall McCann, the director of conservation at UK-based charity National Park Rescue. According to images and local news of Botswana, all of these elephant dead bodies were found near water bodies (around Okavango delta). Last year, there was a mass die-off of elephants in the same National park in Botswana because of poisoning by poachers. Poachers have been kept poisoning elephants for a while to get ivory and hair. But the Botswana government has not tested samples yes. So, there are two main possible causes of this disaster. Poisoning Unknown pathogen But there were no die-offs reported neighboring parks. https://www. instagram. com/p/9ZAprzlQSY/? utm_source=ig_web_copy_link according to recent studies, there are over 15,000 of elephants in this area call Okavango delta. “You see elephants as assets of the country....

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- Published: 2020-06-22
- Modified: 2020-07-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/loureedia-phoenixi/

Loureedia phoenixi Zamani & Marusik, 2020 --- a new species of velvet spiders that named after the American actor, producer and animal rights activist Joaquin Phoenix in recognition of his praised portrayal of the title character in the 2019 movie “Joker” and as a reference to the male abdominal pattern of the new species, which resembles the famous facial makeup of the character. https://www. instagram. com/p/CBnU9jUDBuT/? utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Loureedia phoenixi is described and illustrated based on two male specimens from Alborz Province of Iran, and its distribution is mapped based on the type locality and photographic records. These records represent the easternmost distribution limit of the genus. #Loureedia_phoenixi Zamani & Marusik, 2020, a new species of #velvet_spiders from Iran that we named after #Joaquin_Phoenix, in recognition of his performance as #Joker, and as a reference to the similarity between the abdominal pattern of this spider and Joker's facial makeup. pic. twitter. com/0oadc2IY9S — Alireza Zamani (@Persian_spiders) June 19, 2020

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- Published: 2020-06-10
- Modified: 2020-07-10
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/dendrelaphis-sri-lanka/

Dendrelaphis is a genus of colubrid snakes, distributed from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and southern China to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. There are over forty described species. Asian species are known as bronzebacks. All are non-venomous and entirely harmless to humans. Seven species of bronzebacks are recorded from Sri Lanka. Dendrelaphis wickrorum / Wickramasinghe's Bronzeback Dendrelaphis bifrenalis / Boulenger's Bronzeback Dendrelaphis schokari / Schokar's Bronzeback Dendrelaphis caudolineatus / Strip-Tailed Bronzeback Dendrelaphis tristis / Common Bronzeback Dendrelaphis effrenis Dendrelaphis oliveri Wickramasinghe's Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis wickrorum) Among Bronzeback found in Sri Lanka, Dendrelaphis sp. are found in both wet and dry regions. Researchers have recently discovered that there are two distinct morphologies of this species. Researchers have found that Dendrelaphis species know as Dendraphis bifrenalis are actually two species of Bronzebacks. Accordingly, the native population of the Wet Zone is described as Wickremasinghe's Hal danda. Most of the Dendrelaphis are known in English as "Bronzeback / Bronzeback Tree Snake" due to their superficial bronze body. The long slender body of this species is covered with smooth coral. The spinal column is larger than the lateral coral. The elongated head, which is clearly separated from the head, is flat. Like most snakes, like most Dendrelaphis species, Wickramasinghe's Bronzeback has large eyes comparing to the head. A black line extending laterally from the inter-nasal cortex to the neck across the eye. Head dorsally light green or dull green. The head is flatter than the Khool's hal danda and...

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- Published: 2020-06-05
- Modified: 2020-07-01
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/checkered-keelback/

The Checkered Keelback is a common water snake species that is found almost although out Sri Lanka. The name Checkered Keelback comes from the checkered pattern on its body and unlike other snakes, they have keels on their Costal scales. Costals are the scales that snakes have dorsally covered up their body these keels which helps them to swim easily in fast-flowing waterways. These snakes are well adapted for an aquatic lifestyle even their nostrils are placed high up their snout directed upwards in order to breathe while submerged underwater. Identification and Colouration: even though they have a checkered pattern on their body in some specimens this pattern fades away. they can be identified with two narrow black lines that they have on the side of its head running down from their eye towards the gape of their mouth. Dorsally they can have a dull green or olive-brown colour with a white or red streak hidden between their scales. Global Distribution and Habitats: Checkered keelbacks are also widely distributed in India, Andaman Islands, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and Taiwan. They can be seen in ponds, streams, flooded paddy fields, marshes, and other wetland habitats. Diet: Primarily feeding on fish and frogs are known to occasionally feed on tadpoles Size: Growing to an average of 2. 5ft -3ft but there are records of specimens over 4ft which are rare Behaviours: Active both during day and night. they are known to wait in places where people...

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- Published: 2020-06-05
- Modified: 2020-07-01
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/common-rat-snake-ptyas-mucosa-maximuns/

Common Rat Snake ( Ptyas mucosa maximuns) | juvenile | Yesitha Rodrigo Rat Snakes are certainly a species that almost every Sri Lankan knows commonly found urban and populated areas the main reasons for this is the abundance of their favourite meal, Rats hence the name Rat Snake. Diet: they also feed on other small mammals, birds, lizards, geckos, other snakes and even feeds on Common Indian Toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) which has a toxin called Bufotoxin. which is toxic most of the snakes found in Sri Lanka but Rat snake is immune to this toxin. identification and Coloration: Rat snakes have a rather elongated head with large eyes and a strong robust body. they can easily be identified with the black lines on their 'labials' Labials are the scales on its lips. rats snake come in various colours anywhere from an olivaceous green to a light grey or even a golden yellow dorsally with whitish transverse streaks hidden between scales. with greyish-white to light mustard yellow ventrals. ventrals are the scales on the underside of a snake's belly. Common Rat Snake | Yesitha Rodrigo Habits and Behaviors: Diurnal is commonly seen during the day in search of food well adapted to climb often seen on trees in search of bird nests. and a remarkable swimmer with the ability to dive underwater. when cornered they hiss loudly and strikes rapidly to bite if provoked they are Harmless Non-Venomous they kill their prey by constricting. if they are caught by predators they...

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- Published: 2020-06-03
- Modified: 2020-06-03
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/devario-fish-in-sri-lanka/

Devario is a genus of fish in the family Cyprinidae. includes about 42 confirmed species with a distribution covering freshwater environments in most of tropical South and Southeast Asia. They are relatively small species from about 50 to 100 mm body length and distinguished from other danios and cyprinids by the combination of rounded abdominal midline (vs. keeled), neuromast-filled frontal grooves, a minute or absent maxillary barbel, a dark spot close to the gill cleft, and in most species a short sharp projection from the first infraorbital. Species of Devario are mainly found in small schools up to 50-60 fish in streams at higher elevations. Devario species most of which share a predominantly horizontally striped colour pattern, characterized by dark vertical bars. five species of Devario are recorded from Sri Lanka. Devario monticola Devario malabaricus Devario micronema Devario memorialis Devario pathirana Devario monticola The Devario monticola, is a fish relating to the minnow family (Cyprinidae). It is endemic to Sri Lanka. Devario monticola is separated from D. malabaricus by the appearance (vs. absence) of occipital tubercles in males. Body with 4–5 dark irregular vertical bars on anterior half. Danionin notch present. Lateral line complete. Dorsum light yellowish-brown with a metallic sheen. Body silvery sheen laterally and ventrally. Vertical bars metallic blue with bright yellowish interspaces. Fins hyaline. Devario malabaricus Described from ‘Malabar, India’ and currently accepted to range throughout the Indian peninsula and Sri Lanka, though actually, it's going to be defined to western-flowing drainages of India, and maybe even...

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- Published: 2020-05-30
- Modified: 2020-05-30
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/monkeys-steal-covid-19-test-samples/

There are 18 monkey species in the Indian subcontinent. Rhesus Macaques, Bonnet Macaque, Assam Macaque, Arunachal Macaque, Stump Tailed Macaque, Lion Tailed Macaque, Pig-Tailed Macaque, Black Footed Gray Langur, Tufted Gray Langur, Tarai Gray Langur, Southern Plains Gray Langur, Golden Langur, Capped Langur, Nilgiri Langur, White Cheeked Macaque, Phayre’s Leaf Monkey, Nicobar Long Tailed Monkey, Tibetan Macaque, and only one ape species calls Hoolock Gibbons. MONKEYS STEAL COVID-19 TEST SAMPLES Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) the most common monkey species in India. This sand coloured monkey is an old world monkey species and distributes throughout a large area in India. They can be seen Almost everywhere in India except northern India. Usually, live in human habitats because it is easy to find food there. The diet of Macaca mulatta includes a wide range of food such as fruits, leaves, meat, insects, and man-made food. In India, the increase in the population of Rhesus Monkey has been a top problem nowadays. Because they tend to steal food from homes and shops. The main reasons for their overpopulation are 1. They don’t have a natural predator in their habitat 2. Their high reproductive rate. This increasing population of Rhesus monkeys can be caused by fatal crashes with humans. Because they are dangerous when ganged. At this moment, India is on a critical stage due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There are around 174,00 of confirmed cases and 4,971 of deaths up to this moment. And also India is locked down and scientists and doctors...

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- Published: 2020-05-30
- Modified: 2020-07-04
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/leaf-cutter-ants/

Leaf cutter Ants Ants belong to the Phylum Arthropoda and Family Insecta. There are around 12,000 ant species all around the world. They live as large groups called colonies inside of trees, underground or in human habitats. The Carpenter ant, Odorous House ant, and Pavement ant are the most common ants in the world. They feed on various types of food including seeds, plants, fungi, meats, sugary nectar. And also, there are a few ant species in South and Central America, they are cutting leaves. Are they really feed on leaves? The shortest answer is “No”. Then, why do they keep cutting leaves? The genus Atta and genus Acromyrmex are known to be the main leaf cutter and genera in the world. They live in underground nests. Leafcutter nests contain several types of workers to do different tasks. Some maintain the nest, some feed, and care queen and youngers. Other workers snip leaves and carry them back to the nest. They grow their own food- a type of fungi. This particular fungus is found only in the ants’ nests. The leafcutters tend them carefully in special chambers called fungus gardens. Leafcutter ants feed their fungi on bits of leaves that they snip from plants near the nest. A huge quantity of vegetation is needed to keep the leafcutters’ fungus gardens well supplied. Ants carry their snipped leaves above their heads in a line. Those leafcutter ants are also called parasol ants because the snipped leaves look like tiny parasols. These...

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- Published: 2020-05-26
- Modified: 2020-07-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/black-panther-sri-lanka/

black panther sri lanka A rare black panther has been discovered after it was caught in a trap near a vegetable farm in Walamale of Lakshapana Tea Estate within the Nallathanniya Police Division. Wildlife officers said that the black panther was found caught in a wire trap and wounded while police protection has been provided until veterinarians of the Wildlife Department arrive and tranquilize the animal and release it from the snare. The rescue was under the direction of Dr. Malaka Abeywardena of the Ella ‘Eth Athuru Sevana’ Veterinary Hospital in Udawalawa and Dr. Akalanka Pinideniya of the Randenigala Veterinary Hospital. Officials of the Nallathanniya Wildlife office said that the black leopard was about 8 years of age and was a well-grown animal six feet in length and 4 feet in height. The Sri Lankan Panther has been a mystery for many years and sightings throughout recent history have been very rare due to the low population numbers and the solitary nature of the animals. black panther sri lanka Wildlife site security officer of the Nallathanniya Wildlife office, Prabhash Karunatillaka said that about 1% of black leopards belonging to the Panthera Padus kotiya type which have grown based on gene mutilation live in forest reserves of Sri Lanka. A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of any Panthera. The Sri Lankan black panther was last seen decades ago when an animal was discovered in a trap in Mawuldeniya, Pitadeniya. Since then the black panther was thought to be extinct...

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- Published: 2020-05-26
- Modified: 2020-07-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/immortal-week-of-biodiversity-in-sri-lanka/

This past week has been a very important week for Sri Lanka's biodiversity. This is because some local ecologists have uncovered several species of animals we did not know about before. These findings were inspired by some emerging young environmentalists. Wickramasinghe’s Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis wickrorum) | වික් රමසිංහලාගේ හාල්දණ්ඩා Bronzeback is a special snake that can be seen in Sri Lanka. So far we've thought that the Bronzeback is known as the "Dendrelaphis bifrenalis" which can be seen in both wet and dry areas. But this new discovery shows that these snakes in the wet zone are morphologically and genetically different from their brothers in the dry and intermediate zones. As a result, wetlands in the wet zone have been identified as a separate species. The creature has been named in honor of Mendis Wickremasinghe and Nethu Wickremasinghe, a senior ecologist who plays a major role in the reptile and amphibian biology of Sri Lanka. Mr. Mendis Wickremasinghe was instrumental in popularizing snake conservation among the general public. Dieth Danushka, Suneth Kanishka, Tasun Amarasinghe, Garnot Vogel, and Sampath Seneviratne have contributed to this discovery. They have been exploring forests since 2012 to find this. Visit for the article: Click here . Sameera’s Lanka Skink (Lankascincus sameerai) | සමීරගේ ලක්-සිකනලා The genus Lankascincus is referred to as the lak hikanalun in sinhala. This is because they are only found in the country. Researchers have found a morphologically distinct population of the genus Lankascincus gansi. This new species of Skinks are found in...

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- Published: 2020-05-19
- Modified: 2022-11-30
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/white-animals/

People have always believed that white animals were special. Some claimed they had magical properties. And seeing such an animal was considered incredibly lucky or even a blessing of the gods. This is not surprising because there are not that many albinos out there. Most often, because of their unusual colour. White animals simply can't survive for long in the wild. But the fact that they're so rare makes them more valuable, and their unusual appearance makes them more precious. 1. Gorilla Barcelona Zoo White Gorilla It's one of a kind named snowflake a western lowland gorilla. According to the official records, it was caught in Equatorial Guinea, in 1966 and then sold to Barcelona. The hunter who captured him killed all the other gorillas from the snowflake family. He decided to keep the most unusual animal from the pack. First, the Barcelona Zoo which bought the albino gorilla didn't know how unique snowflake was the employees even asked to bring more white gorillas to breed them in captivity. Soon scientists found that snowflakes parents had 12% of their DNA in common. Perhaps this information doesn't mean anything to you, but the researchers immediately realized that snowflakes parents were an uncle and a niece. Both of them had the gene responsible for albinism and inherited by snowflake. Very soon the albino gorilla became famous throughout the world. The image of a snowflake printed on postcards in guidebooks he became the unofficial mascot at the Barcelona Zoo. Several documentaries for dedicated...

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- Published: 2020-05-12
- Modified: 2020-06-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/top-10-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-aquatic-creatures/

World’s Most Dangerous Aquatic Creatures the deep blue sea has its own list of dangers that don't involve drowning we countdown the top 10 list of most deadly fish in the world and dare you not to cringe at number 8 Number 10 piranhas, these tiny predators have a bad reputation but piranhas mostly feed on plant matter or scavenge off already dead animals they are however capable of effectively stripping meat from bones with their 4-millimetre-long razor-sharp teeth and they are endowed with a keen ability to detect blood so if you're sporting even a minor injury while in the Amazon it's best to stay out of the water. Number 9 tigerfish these voracious creatures can grow up to 6 feet in length and live in most African freshwaters tiger fish possessed dagger-like teeth that jut out when their mouths are closed they're not particularly dangerous to humans except when agitated as they often are when reeled in on a fishing line tiger fish bites can be as painful as a wasp sting and they have an ability to release tiny hairs that cost severe irritation to human skin Number 8 Candiru these tiny parasitic fish are often found in the gill folds of other fish in the Amazon River feeding on blood and growing up to an inch long rumour has it that these fish are likely to swim into genital orifices and lodge thereby extending spines into the flesh while there has only been one documented case...

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- Published: 2020-05-02
- Modified: 2020-08-10
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-catfish-in-sri-lanka/

Order Siluriformes Catfish (Order Siluriformes) are various gatherings of bony fish. Named for their conspicuous barbels, which take after a feline's hairs, catfish go in size and conduct from the heaviest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the longest, the wels catfish of Europe, to detritivores (species that eat dead material on the base), and even to a little parasitic species usually called the candiru, Vandellia cirrhosa. There are shield plated types and furthermore exposed sorts, neither having scales. Notwithstanding their normal name, not all catfish have noticeable barbels; what characterizes a fish as being in the order Siluriformes are in reality certain highlights of the skull and swimbladder. Catfish are of impressive business significance; a large number of the bigger species are farmed or looks for food. Sri Lanka is home to some of the amazing catfish species found around the world. mainly there are four main types of catfish found in this island. Naked catfishes | Order: Siluriformes. Family: Bagridae Sheat catfishes |Family: Siluridae Airbreathing catfishes |Family: Clariidae Airsac catfishes | Family: Heteropneustidae Naked catfishes | Order: Siluriformes. Family: Bagridae Mystus nanus previously knowns as Mystus vittatus but according to recent research programs, this species was separated from other naked catfish species. Mystus nanus, new species, is portrayed from marsh streams, waterways, and repositories all through Sri Lanka. Recently misidentified in Sri Lanka as M. vittatus, the new species is recognized from its Indian and Sri Lankan congeners by having two cream stripes along the flanks,...

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- Published: 2020-04-27
- Modified: 2021-05-18
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-common-spiders-of-sri-lanka/

Introduction to Common Spiders of Sri Lanka | Yesitha Rodrigo © Sri Lanka is a tropical island established near the southern tip of India. The invertebrate fauna is as extensive as it isn't surprising to different areas of the world. There are around 2 million types of arthropods found on the planet, and still, it is counting. Such huge numbers of new species are found up to this time moreover. So it is extremely entangled and hard to summarize the specific number of species found inside a specific region. The accompanying review is about Spiders found in Sri Lanka. Spiders (order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs and chelicerae with fangs that infuse venom. Anatomically, spiders vary from different arthropods in that the typical body parts are intertwined into two tagmata, the cephalothorax, and abdomen, and joined by a little, round and hollow pedicel. In contrast to creepy crawlies, spiders don't have antennae. In all aside from the primary groups, the Mesothelae, spiders have the most centralized sensory systems of all arthropods, as all their ganglia are combined into one mass in the cephalothorax. In contrast to most arthropods, spiders have no extensor muscles in their appendages and rather broaden them by hydraulic pressure. As of November 2015, at least 45,700 spider varieties, and 114 families have been documented by taxonomists. In any case, there has been dispute inside established researchers with regards to how every one of these families ought to be classified, as proved by the...

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- Published: 2020-04-20
- Modified: 2020-05-01
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-freshwater-eels-in-sri-lanka/

Introduction to Freshwater Eels in Sri Lanka Eel, (order Anguilliformes), any of more than 800 species of characterized by elongate wormlike forms. Anguilliformes hold the common freshwater eels as well as the voracious morays. An eel is any ray-finned fish having a place with the order Anguilliformes, which comprises of eight suborders, 19 families, 111 genera, and around 800 species. Eels undergo significant improvement from the early larval stage to the particular adult stage. Most are active predators. The expression "eel" is additionally used for some other eel-shaped fish, for example, electric eels (sort Electrophorus), spinny eels (family Mastacembelidae), and deep-sea spiny eels (family Notacanthidae). These different clades, be that as it may, developed their eel-like shapes separately from the genuine eels. Eels are long fish, growing long from 5 cm (2. 0 in) in the one-jawed eel (Monognathus ahlstromi) to 4 m (13 ft) in the slim mammoth moray. Adults go in weight from 30 g (1. 1 oz) to well more than 25 kg (55 lb). They have no pelvic fins, and numerous species also lack pectoral fins. The dorsal and anal fins balances are twisted with the caudal fin, framing a single string running along a significant part of the length of the animal. Eels swim by producing body waves that venture to every part of their bodies. They can swim in reverse by turning around the heading of the wave. Most eels live in the shallow waters of the sea and tunnel into the sand, mud,...

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- Published: 2020-04-19
- Modified: 2020-05-25
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-geckos-of-sri-lanka/

Hemidactylus triedrus lankae | Introduction to geckos of Sri Lanka | Chamod Goonathilake © Lizards first appeared on Earth more than 260 million years ago, and today there are almost 4000+ different known species, making them the largest group of reptiles. They come in a great variety of shapes and sizes, from giant Komodo dragons and tiny geckos to colour-changing chameleons and slow-worms with no legs at all. And also lizards live almost everywhere from rocky mountains and Arctic tundra to arid desert and the Rain forest canopy. The geckos are one of the main groups of reptiles. They belong to the group Scleroglossa known as hard-tongued lizards. Their tongues are hard and flat. There are 2700+ separated species of hard-tongue lizards including geckos, skinks, monitor lizards, lacertid lizards and zonures. Geckos are cold-blooded animals. Their internal organs are similar to those of most land-living vertebrates, but the heart has only 3 chambers, unlike others. Two chambers called the atria, receive blood from the body. Oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium is kept separate from oxygen-poor blood the right. Geckos have special breath-holding abilities, extrasensory organs and telescopic (extendable) tongues. They shed their outer skin layer like other reptiles in order to grow. But unlike snakes, they shed the dead skin in pieces. All of the geckos have the ability to lose their tails for protection. Some species have brightly coloured tails that, combined with a tail-waving motion, attract a predator’s attention and draw its attack away from the gecko’s...

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- Published: 2020-04-17
- Modified: 2020-04-17
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/poaching-dangers-loom-as-wildlife-safaris-put-on-stop-due-to-covid-19/

Official lockdowns and the loss of the travel industry income make new difficulties for ensuring the mainland's natural life. Dwindle Meshemi says he's shocked. For as long as 12 years, he's worked as an armed officer in northern Kenya, investing a long time at an energy watching inferior fields looking for poachers. Presently, even as he's continually on high awareness of ensuring defenseless elephants, lions, and panthers that are focused on illegally by trackers at Loisaba Conservancy, he and his 70 individual officers have an additional concern: securing themselves against coronavirus. Loisaba, which spreads more than 57,000 sections of land, is one of in excess of 100 conservancies in Kenya—untamed life regions lawfully put in a safe spot for land safeguarding and oversaw by people or gatherings. "As an officer, you are prepared to work in any circumstance that may emerge," Meshemi says. However, he was not hoping to confront a tiny adversary that has murdered in excess of 79,000 individuals around the globe and now chances—by closing down movement and the travel industry—the very animals he chances his life to secure. "We are frightened of it," he says. "The entire world is terrified. " On April 8, Kenya detailed a combined total of 172 cases of COVID-19 and 30 deads. . Two days sooner, the administration had established a lockdown arrangement that bars most travel all through Nairobi County, where most of the realized cases have happened. Up until this point, individuals in the remote Loisaba zone have maintained...

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- Published: 2020-04-14
- Modified: 2020-04-29
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-family-channidae-in-sri-lanka/

Updated: 29/04/2020 Taxonomic Tree Domain: Eukaryota Kingdom: Metazoa Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Suborder: Channoidei Family: Channidae Genus: Channa Channa kelaartii Channa is a genus that belongs to the family Channidae and commonly known as snakeheads. There are more than 50+ separated species all over the world. All Snakeheads live in freshwater. They have scales in the head unlike other fish and it is the reason to call them "Snakeheads". Highly carnivorous and active predators. Because of that, most of the time snakeheads are the apex predators of freshwater bodies. They have well-developed teeth. Usually feed on small fish, amphibians, crustaceans and sometimes on animals that bigger than them. There are records of attacking birds also. The Snakeheads have sub-cylindrical bodies and long dorsal fins. They are labyrinth fish. It means all of them to have a special organ call labyrinth and it helps to take oxygen directly from the air, instead of taking it from the water through gills. And snakeheads can breathe by gills also. Because of that, they come to the water surface frequently. Adults can store more air than juveniles. Adult snakeheads can stay more time in the water without going to the surface to breathe than juveniles accordingly. They lay a lot of eggs at once in a nest that they developed in a shady place such as floating vegetation or among roots near the banks. After mating, the females lay their eggs and the eggs are fertilized by the males. Snakeheads...

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- Published: 2020-04-14
- Modified: 2020-04-14
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-freshwater-fish-in-sri-lanka/

Introduction to pisces / ichthys and Freshwater Fish in Sri Lanka Fish are a class of aquatic vertebrates. The blend of gills, balances and the way that they live just in the water make fish not quite the same as every single other creature. Fish spend all of the totals of their lives in the water and are cold-blooded except for the Tuna family and the Mackerel shark family. Researchers accept that there are more than 24,000 various types of fish on the planet. They extend in size from the biggest, Whale shark at 16 m (51 ft) long, to the tiniest the 8 mm (1/4 in. ) Stout Infantfish. Most fish have a skeleton made of bone however a few, similar to sharks, have a skeleton made of cartilage. Introduction to Freshwater Fish in Sri Lanka The freshwater ichthyofauna of Sri Lanka contained around 110 species; listed under 20 families and 50-60 species are endemic to the island. species of Sri Lankan fish species are nationally threatened and nine species are globally threatened. The critical threat of harming is endemic fish is habitat degradation and water pollution by increased human activities. there are four recognized zones in Sri Lanka that divided by river basins and geographical changes. Also, Sri Lanka has 24 introduced species of freshwater fishes. wet zone Mahaweli zone dry zone intermediate zone Freshwater Fish in Sri Lanka | zones in sri lanka southwest wet zone Most of the endemic species found in the Lowland wet zone...

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- Published: 2020-04-07
- Modified: 2020-04-07
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/whale-sharks-may-exist-up-a-century-new-study-revealed/

Whale sharks may exist up a century Delightfully designed with white spots and stripes, the 60-foot-long whale shark is the biggest—and one of the most striking—fish in the ocean. In spite of the fact that it's cherished by eco-tourists and local to calm seas the world over, almost a few details know about these behemoths—including to what extent they live. Ongoing examinations concerning other shark species have uncovered dumbfounding life expectancies: The Greenland shark, for instance, can live about 300 years, longer than some other vertebrate on Earth. (A lot more sharks, for example, the incredible white, close to the 100-year point. ) Those disclosures are generally a direct result of cutting edge strategies for deciding a shark's age, for example, following carbon-14, an uncommon kind of radioactive isotope that is a side-effect of Cold War-period bomb explosions, in shark skeletons. Estimating measures of this component can tell researchers a shark's age more precisely than the past methodology, tallying tree-like development rings on whale shark vertebrae. That is on the grounds that how much time each ring speaks to has for quite some time been a subject of debate. Presently, scientists utilizing radiocarbon dating have distinguished the remaining parts of a whale shark that lived 50 years, the most ever for that species, says study pioneer Mark Meekan, a fish scholar at the Australian Institute of Marine Science. He includes that "it appears to be conceivable that these huge sharks could live to be around a hundred years of age....

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- Published: 2020-04-07
- Modified: 2020-04-07
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/bronx-zoo-tiger-is-sick-with-the-covid-19/

Bronx Zoo Tiger Is Sick With the COVID-19 A tiger at New York City’s Bronx Zoo has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, in what is believed to be a case of what one official called “human-to-cat transmission, officials at the US Department of Agriculture said Sunday, raising new questions about how the virus that causes coronavirus spreads in animals, and whether other animals are at risk of becoming infected with the virus. “Zoo Tiger Is Sick With the COVID-19, This is the first instance of a tiger being infected with COVID-19,” according to the federal Agriculture Department, which noted that although only one tiger was examined, the virus appeared to have infected other animals as well. " The Bronx Zoo’s tiger — a 4-year-old Malayan tiger named Nadia — is the first animal in the US and the first non-domesticated animal globally to have a verified COVID-19 case. At least two pets, a cat and a dog were infected in Hong Kong; and a cat in Belgium is also believed to have the virus. All of the pets were owned by people with verified COVID-19 cases. Zoo officials believe the Zoo Tiger Is Sick With the COVID-19 — as well as her sister, two Amur tigers, and three African lions that are all showing similar signs — may have been affected by a keeper who has the virus but is asymptomatic, given that the zoo has been shut down to the public since March 16. “There is no evidence...

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- Published: 2020-04-02
- Modified: 2020-10-01
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-genus-acavus/

Kingdom - Animalia Phylum - Mollusca Class - Gastropoda Superfamily - Acavoidea Family - Acavidae Genus - Acavus (Montfort 1810) The Acavidae are presented in Sri Lanka by two endemic genera, Acavus and Oligospira. Acavus is a genus of terrestrial, air-breathing land snails that endemic to Sri Lanka. They are Gondwana related tree snails that lived in Gondwanaland over 150 million years ago. Gondwana is a Southern Hemisphere supercontinent composed principally of South America, Africa, Arabia, Madagascar, India, Antarctica, and Australia. Their closest relatives live in Madagascar island. It is the best evidence to describe them as Gondwanaland related. The Family Acavidae (Genus Acavus) includes three species in Sri Lanka at present. 01. Acavus superbus 02. Acavus haemastoma 03. Acavus phoenix The first Acavus species was described by Linnaeus in 1758, Acavus haemastoma. Then L. Pfeiffer described Acavus superbus in 1850 and Acavus phoenix in 1854. After a ton of publications there are three species, two subspecies and five colour varieties in the Acavus genus in Sri Lanka. Acavus superbus includes three separated colour varieties, 01. Acavus superbus superbus 02. Acavus superbus roseolabiatus 03. Acavus superbus gravillei Acavus haemastoma includes two separated colour varieties, 01. Acavus haemastoma haemastoma 02. Acavus haemastoma melanotragus Acavus phoenix includes two subspecies, 01. Acavus phoenix phoenix 02. Acavus phoenix custaneus Acavus is essentially restricted to the wet zone of Sri Lanka up to more than 600m altitude. But only one Acavus species is also present at Ritigala (an isolated forest patch in the North-Central dry...

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- Published: 2020-04-01
- Modified: 2020-04-14
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/sitana-ponticeriana-fan-throated-lizard/

Sitana ponticeriana / Fan-Throated Lizard | yesitha rodrigo © The class Sitana was portrayed by Cuvier (1829) based on a solitary animal group, Sitana ponticeriana / Fan-Throated Lizard. The also portrayed, Sitana minor Günther, 1864, is equal from S. ponticeriana Cuvier, 1829, and ought to be considered as a lesser target similar word of the last mentioned. The syntypes of S. deccanensis Jerdon, 1870 have been rediscovered, lost among the syntypes of S. minor (sensu Boulenger 1885) at the Natural History Museum (London) and the previous taxon is here perceived as a substantial animal group and redescribed. There is some uncertainty encompassing the taxon Sitana ponticeriana mucronata Deraniyagala, 1957. Its kind is lost and no live populaces have been found since its individual depiction; along these lines, we here consider this trinomen as a nomen dubium. The Sitana populaces which are disseminated in more temperate and warmer regions of Sri Lanka are quite individual in relation to the known Indian species and are accordingly under this portrayed as new species. The two new species, Sitana bahiri sp. nov. also, Sitana devakai sp. nov. , separation from territory Indian congeners by having the accompanying blend of characters. Sitana bahiri sp. nov. contrasts from Sitana devakai sp. nov, mucronate sidelong scales (versus adjusted) in guys, and adjusted ventral scales in females, in addition to a few different characters. Sitana ponticeriana/Fan-Throated Lizard Sitana ponticeriana / Fan-Throated Lizard one of the 3 non-endemic agamid lizards of Sri Lanka. Others are Calotes calotes and Calotes...

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- Published: 2020-03-30
- Modified: 2020-07-01
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/snakes-of-sri-lanka/

Green Pit Viper | Snakes of Sri Lanka | Yesitha Rodrigo © Introduction to Snakes Snakes unlike other animals are feared by many all around the world. Some reasons for this are that many people believe that snakes have a wet and smiley feel to them yet they have leathery dry skin and also because snakes have an odd appearance compared with other animals and also we believe that all snakes are venomous. Not all snake possess venom the majority of species are Non-venomous. The reason that some snakes have Venom is to help them hunt and kill their pray easily. The Non-venomous species hunt by constricting and suffocating their prey All snakes are carnivores feeding on various types of pray like anything from animals like large mammals such as deer and other small mammals including rodents, birds and bird's egg, amphibians, fish, crustaceans, insects, worms, snails, and other reptiles and their eggs and even other snakes. There are NO records of snakes feed on humans with proper scientific evidence. Most species of snakes aren’t aggressive at all but they have a terrible reputation about them being out to attack humans. They will usually retreat from any form of danger that they may detect around them. However, if they start to feel like they are in trouble they will strike in order to protect themselves. Snakes are cold-blooded which is why they do need warmer temperatures to help them survive. They do like to live in wet climates but some...

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- Published: 2020-03-29
- Modified: 2020-10-03
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/ceratophora-tennenti/

Leaf-nosed Lizard (𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘪) | Yesitha Rodrigo© Leaf-nosed Lizard (𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘪) DESCRIPTION: Distinguished from all other agamids in Sri Lanka by complex, laterally compressed, fleshy and leaf-like rostral appendage that is more prominent in males than females. Body-color highly variable, from greenish to dull greenish-brown. Lateral scales are Large, irregular scales. Tail long and cylindrical. Found in submontane and montane forests, but can also be seen in cardamom and pine plantations. During day may be seen on moss-covered tree trunks 1-2m above the ground and on low bushes. Diurnal, arboreal and slow-moving. Occasional cannibalism has been noted Oviparous, laying 2-4 eggs in a pit. Tennent's Leaf-nosed Lizards are little reptiles named after the obvious leaf-moulded projection situated toward the finish of their rostrum. This ornamentation is fleshy, canvassed in scales and granules, and tipped with an obtusely conical scale. The shape is one of a kind to the animal types as it is along the side packed and circular from a parallel view. The appendage is present in juveniles and monomorphic in adults, though slightly smaller in females. The capacity of this limb is obscure, anyway field perceptions recommend it isn't clearly utilized in rearing or risk show (Pethiyagoda and Manamendra-Arachchi 1998). A few specialists have decided that the extremity serves to increment crypsis by separating the reptiles' diagram (Johnston et al. 2013). Normal nose to vent length is 55-70 mm, and tail length is 130-145 mm (Somaweera and Somaweera 2009). Grown-ups commonly have a short and think tongue, a...

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- Published: 2020-03-29
- Modified: 2020-10-03
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/rhino-horn-lizard-ceratophora-stoddarti/

Endemic to Sri Lanka. Distinguished from all other agamids in Sri Lanka by the presence of rostral appendage restricted to and only made of the rostral scale, which is prominent in males but less prominent in females. Lateral scales are Large, irregular scales. They have the ability to change the main body color from green to brown rapidly when descending from vegetation to the ground. Diurnal, arboreal and slow-moving. Semi arboreal and found in moss-covered tree trunks, hedges, and lianas of natural forests and tea plantations. Oviparous, with the female laying 2-5 eggs in the pit that she digs. Distribution: Central Hills (1500-2200m above sea level) Diet: Caterpillars, earthworms, and arthropods

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- Published: 2020-03-29
- Modified: 2020-04-17
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/this-frog-known-to-eat-anything-including-snakes/

Yasantha Wiraj © Snakes are well known for the ease with which they swallow their prey whole, but for one unlucky reptile, the tables appear to have turned. Social media user shared the unusual images which seem to show the reptile's dying as a large bullfrog devours it. Yasantha Wiraj ගොඩක් කල් සිදුවීමක් මලුවෙක් දියනයෙක්ව ගිලින එකක් දැක්ක එපාර මෙක මතක් උනේ. කලාතුරකින් වෙන සිදුවීමක්. . however, the frog species appeared in the image is a Hoplobatrachus crassus, also called Jerdon's bullfrog, have all been known to eat anything they can fit into their mouth from small insects, fish even snakes, and mice! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! along the inside of their mouth (where our teeth would be) they have a long ridge that stretches the length of their "lips" this ridge is hard and bony, and much like Shattered Glass. Often times these frogs have such voracious appetites, they have been known to eat so much it literally kills them, causing their stomach to rupture. A smaller snake, such as a juvenile of most any kind, and smaller species can certainly become the main course for a hungry bullfrog or something similar. They do in fact hunt, unlike what someone else mentioned above, but most of the ones large enough to eat prey like that are what you would call "ambush" predators, usually waiting until something crosses their path to take advantage of the meal. Yasantha Wiraj © THIS FROG known to eat anything INCLUDING SNAKES...

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- Published: 2020-03-28
- Modified: 2020-04-21
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/lyre-head-lizard-hump-nosed-lizard-lyriocephalus-scutatus/

DESCRIPTION: Genus Lyriocephalus is a genus that endemic to Sri Lanka and it has only one species called Lyriocephalus scutatus. The largest agamid lizard of Sri Lanka. L. scutatus is commonly known as Lyre-headed Lizard or Hump-nosed Lizard. The reason for those names is having a globular, knob-like rostral appendage. And also they have a highly developed, terminally pointed supraciliary ridge above eyes. They are the distinguishing characteristics from other Agamid lizards in SriLanka. Body colour highly changeable from dark to light green, especially in males Hatchlings a juveniles grey-brownish. Commonly found in tree trunks up to 10m high in shaded areas. Usually non-aggressive. They have the ability to change the body colour green to dark brown. When threatened, they usually try to climb higher and sometimes display their bright red coloured mouth. Diurnal, arboreal and slow-moving species. Lay eggs during the rainy seasons. The largest threat that they are facing in the wild is habitat loss. Diet : Arthropods such as spiders, centipedes and other insects and worms. They usually feed on insects like grass hopers, beetles,flies and moths. There are few records that they feed on leeches(Hirudo sp). DISTRIBUTION: Widely distributed in wet and intermediate zones at 30-1,000m above sea level (Kandy, Udawatte Kale, Gannoruwa, The Knuckles Range, Pak Wilderness, Kitulgala, Sinharaja RF, Gampola, Dambulla and Ratnapura). though habitat is highly fragmented. Endemic to Sri Lanka. Reference: Lyriocephalus_2010

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- Published: 2020-03-27
- Modified: 2020-05-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/knuckles-pigmy-lizard-cophotis-dumbara/

Knuckles Pigmy Lizard (Cophotis dumbara ) | shafran packeer© Cophotis is an endemic genus to Sri Lanka and there are 2 species under that. Cophotis ceylanica and Cophotis dumbara. Cophotis species are distinguished from other agamids by the long snout, prehensile tail, indistinct tympanum and backward-pointed, large, irregular scales on the dorsal aspect of the body. Cophotis dumbara males have small, distinct gular sack. Distinguished from C. ceylanica by smoothly pointed gular sack scales which are keeled only at the posterior end. Dull yellowish-green in color. Diurnal, arboreal and slow-moving. Found in the moss-covered tree trunk (near cardamom plantations). It can jump 2-3 feet to reach another branch. Has the ability to rotate eyes like chamaeleons. A grown-up arrives at 60. 0 mm SVL long. 111–120 mid-ventral scales. Head rhomboid dorsally. Orbital edge not unmistakable. Supraorbital edge with a column of enormous, carinate scales. There is a supraorbital edge with a column of huge, carinate scales. Nasal scale pentagonal. Supraciliary scales are carinate and lengthen. Tympanum subdermal. Chest scales triangular. Male has a pale greenish-yellow on the upper lip. Lower lip dull greenish-dark. A light greenish-yellow band reaches out from nose tip to axilla. Blackish loreal and transient districts with light greenish-yellow scales. Student dark. Iris blackish with brilliant shades. Dorsal peak dark, which contains light green patches. The centerpiece of the throat is ruddy orange. Tail comprises of seven greenish-yellow and seven dark cross-groups. The Female has a buff-shaded throat. Throat with longitudinal dark-colored streaks. Upper and lower lips...

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- Published: 2020-03-27
- Modified: 2020-04-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lanka-kangaroo-lizard-otocryptis-weigmanni/

Otocryptis weigmanni (Juvenile) | Chamod Goonathilake © Otocryptis weigmanni is an Endemic, Small agamid with a slender body, and long hindlimbs. Five digits on hindlimbs. Male is dull brownish-grey in color. Male's head, neck region, and dewlap often become luminescent greenish-blue. The Male has a well-developed dewlap with a maroon patch. The Female is light brownish-yellow in color. Found on the forest floor, among roots of large trees, on low vegetation and even on boulders along streams. Durnal and terrestrial. They have the ability to run short distances using hindlimbs (Bipadal running). Sleeps on low vegetation at night. Lay 3-5 eggs in a pit that female digs. DISTRIBUTION: Wet zone from sea level to 1,300 m above. Diet: Caterpillar arthropods and grubs. Sleeping Behavior Otocryptis weigmanni | Chamod Goonathilake ©

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- Published: 2020-03-27
- Modified: 2020-06-30
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lankan-chamaeleon-chamaele-zeylanicus/

Sri Lankan Chamaeleon (Chamaele zeylanicus ) | Chamod Goonathilake © Chamaeleons are arboreal and slow-moving lizards with a unique ability to extend their tongue nearly the length of the body and capture prey. And also they can change their body color from green to yellow rapidly and move their eyes independently. They have digits in two opposable sets, in which two digits are fused to form the forward set and three digits are fused to form the other set. They call zygodactyl hands. Chamaeleons have large eyeballs that covered with skin. Scales on the body are enlarged and tuberculated. They show diurnal habits. An adult chamaeleon is about 40cm in size. They are larger than Dragon Lizards(Agamid Lizards) in Sri Lanka. There are more than 200 species of Chamaeleons in the world but Sri Lanka is the home for only one Chamaeleon species. Chamaeleons' prehensile tail helps to their arboreal life. Diet : Insects such as crickets and grass hoppers. Distribution : Semi-arid and dry zones of Sri Lanka and India. Habitat : Found on low vegetation in scrub jungles and open woodlands. Prehensile Tail | Chamod Goonathilake © zygodactyl hands | Chamod Goonathilake ©

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- Published: 2020-03-22
- Modified: 2020-04-15
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/did-really-dolphins-and-swans-return-to-italian-waterways-due-to-covid-19-lockdown/

Did Really Dolphins and Swans ‘Return’ to Italian Waterways due to COVID-19 Lockdown? on Twitter this week, some happy stories softened the blows: Swans had returned to deserted Venetian canals. Dolphins too. These reports of wildlife achievements in countries hard-hit by the novel coronavirus got hundreds of thousands of retweets. They went viral on Instagram and Tik Tok. They made news headlines. people said, this was it—animals were bouncing back, operating free in a humanless world. Kaveri Ganapathy Ahuja’s controversial tweet about the swans that “returned” to Venice canals has hit a million likes. Here's an unexpected side effect of the pandemic - the water's flowing through the canals of Venice is clear for the first time in forever. The fish are visible, the swans returned. pic. twitter. com/2egMGhJs7f — Kaveri (@ikaveri) March 16, 2020 Ahuja, who lives in New Delhi, India, says she saw some photos on social media and decided to put them together in a tweet, unaware that the swans were already regulars in Burano before the coronavirus tore across Italy. “The tweet was just about sharing something that brought me joy in these gloomy times,” she says. She never expected it to go viral, or to cause any harm. “I wish there was an edit option on Twitter just for moments like this,” Ahuja says. She’s tweeted about the “unprecedented” number of likes and retweets she’s received on the tweet. “It’s a personal record for me, and I would not like to delete it,” she says....

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- Published: 2020-03-16
- Modified: 2020-04-14
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/karus-horned-lizard-ceratophora-karu/

Ceratophora karu male | Chamod Goonathilake © Ceratophora Karu is an endemic species in Sri Lanka. The smallest agamid lizard in Sri Lanka. Very tiny lizard with a rostral appendage on the snout. The Male is smaller than the female and dark-colored. Male is Dark Brown in color. The Female is yellowish-brown in color. Found in leaf litter and between Roots. Terrestrial and diurnal species. Distribution: Restricted to Morning Side and Gongala ( Sinharaja Rain Forest) Diet: insects Reproduction: C. karu is oviparous. About 2 eggs are produced at a time, measuring 8. 6 mm x 5. 0 mm. Ceratophora karu male | Chamod Goonathilake © Ceratophora karu female | Chamod Goonathilake © Pethiyagoda R. K. Manamendra-Arachchi. A revision of the endemic Sri Lankan agamid lizard genus Ceratophora Gray 1835 with description of two new species

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- Published: 2020-03-16
- Modified: 2020-04-15
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/calotes-versicolor/

Common Garden Lizard / Oriental Garden Lizard DESCRIPTION: Head large Scales on body point backward and upwards. No fold or pit front of shoulders Two separate sets of spines above tympanum. Coloration variable and also changeable, with head becoming bright red and black patch on the throat in displaying males, fading to dull grey at other times; females may become yellow, changing to dull greyish-olive after mating. DISTRIBUTION: The most abundant and widespread agamid in Sri Lanka, restricted to elevations from sea level to 1,000m above. HABITAT AND HABITS: Mostly seen in anthropogenic habitats, though some occasionally seen in pristine habitats as well. Diurnal and arboreal. Feeds on insects and other invertebrates. While sunbathing, the lizards try to orient their body surfaces towards sunlight and keep the body color dark to increase heat absorption. Head bobbing and dewlap expansions are common when another individual is encountered. Oviparous, laying about 12 eggs in a pit. Juvenile : Calotes versicolor Calotes versicolor References Reptiles Database Ecology Asia C. A. L. Guenther (1864) The Reptiles of British India. "Changeable Lizard Calotes versicolor". Archived from the original on 2008-02-14. Retrieved 2008-04-01. Calotes versicolor Further reading Asana, J. 1931 The natural history of Calotes versicolor, the common blood sucker. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 34: 1041–1047. Devasahayam, S. , and Anita Devasahayam. 1989. A peculiar food habit of the garden lizard Calotes versicolor(Daudin). J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 86:253. Wildlife at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, by Ria Tan Tiwaru, Manjula;Schiavina, Aurofilio 1990 Biology of the...

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- Published: 2020-03-11
- Modified: 2022-01-21
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lanka-soft-shell-terrapin-lissemys-ceylonensis/

SOFTSHELL TURTLES & TERRAPINS TRIONYCHIDAE (SOFTSHELL TURTLES AND TERRAPINS) This medium to large turtles and terrapins are found in freshwater habitats. Some may also occur in brackish water habitats. They are characterized by their carapaces, which lack horny scutes (leading to the name softshells), and are leathery and malleable, especially at the sides. Their feet are webbed and each bears only three claws. They have elongated, soft, snorkel-like nostrils and very long necks. Most species are carnivores, with diets comprising mainly fish, aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, and sometimes birds and small mammals. About 30 species are distributed in Africa, Asia, and North America. A single species occurs in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Soft-shell/ flapshell Turtle (Lissemys ceylonensis) (Sinhala Kiri Ibba; Tamil Pal Aamai) Synonym Emyda ceylonensis GRAY 1856: 268 Emyda granosa — BOULENGER 1889 partim Emyda granosa ceylonensis — ANNANDALE 1912 Lissemys punctata granosa — SMITH 1931 Lissemys ceylonensis — PRASCHAG et al. 2011 Lissemys ceylonensis — KARUNARATHNA & AMARASINGHE 2011 Lissemys ceylonensis — TTWG 2014 sri lanka soft shell terrapin DESCRIPTION: soft shells unlike other typical terrpins have and distinguish look with and long neck with snorkel like nostrils set with a fleshy, tubate proboscis. Webbed Fingers and toes stong and long sharp claws which help them in buring themselves in the soft mud/ lose sand of river banks. Females in this species grow larger in size than males. Female can reaching an average carapace size of 14" inches where males average at 10-11" inches. Slightly domed and oval shaped...

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- Published: 2020-03-11
- Modified: 2020-04-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/sri-lanka-black-terrapin-melanochelys-trijuga/

FRESHWATER TERRAPINS & TURTLES This family comprises small to medium-sized (10-80cm long) aquatic turtles and terrapins. They are characterized by webbed toes and hard shells with scutes, and their necks are drawn back vertically. Their carapaces have 24 marginal scutes, and the GEOEMYDIDAE (FRESHWATER TERRAPINS AND TURTLES) plastron is composed of 12 scutes. Geoemydids live in freshwater ecosystems, estuarine waters, and tropical forests. About 70 species are distributed in the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Europe, North Africa, and Central and South America. Most are herbivore but some are omnivores or carnivores. Females lay a small number of eggs per clutch single species with two subspecies occurs in Sri Lanka. Indian Black Terrapin (Melanochelys trijuga) (Sinhala Gal Ibba /ගල් ඉබ්බා; Tamil Karuppu Amai) Two subspecies occurs in the island 1) Melanochelys trijuga parkeri (Parker’s Black Turtle) 2) Melanochelys trijuga thermalis (Spotted Black Turtle) DESCRIPTION: The Body is medium-sized(35cm). Carapace hard and bears 3 keels. Two subspecies occur in Sri Lanka: M. t. thermalis and M. t. parkeri. M. t. thermalis: head usually ornamented with orange or red blotches; carapace black; plastron black with a yellow border. M. t. parkeri: head uniform olive-brown; carapace dull brownish-black. Sutures between carapace bones more or less distinct. Plastron concave in males, flat in females. Toes webbed, with long, pointed nails. DISTRIBUTION: M. t. thermal widely distributed in all four climatic zones of Sri Lanka up to 700m above sea level. Extra-limital: southeastern coast of peninsular India. M. t. parkeri confined to northern dry lowlands...

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- Published: 2020-03-11
- Modified: 2020-04-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/star-tortoise-geochelone-elegans/

LAND TORTOISES TESTUDINIDAE (LAND TORTOISES) The Testudinidae family comprises the terrestrial testudines. Their carapace length is 12-130cm. They are characterized by a high-domed carapace, pillar-like legs and blunt, heavily scaled, clawed feet. They are mainly herbivorous, but also occasionally scavenge on carrion. Adapted for life on dry land, many species can survive long periods without water. A few from wetter parts of the range are, however, fond of water. Tortoises are known dispersal agents of forest plants. They are popular in the pet trade. and large numbers are collected illegally from the wild for export. Approximately 50 species in 11 Genus are known from North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the islands of Madagascar, the Galapagos and the Aldabra Atoll Only one species OCcurs in Sri Lanka. Star Tortoise (Geochelone elegans) 40cm (Simhala Tharaka or Mevara Ibba, Tamil Katupetti, Manchal amai) DESCRIPTION: Body medium in size. Shell hard and dome-shaped, with characteristic yellowish-cream and black-streaked markings on carapace and plastron. Two major forms with different shell structures occur in Sri Lanka- one with small, elongate shell, dull in color, without carapace protuberances (knobs); the other with large, pronounced protuberances on the carapace and bright coloration. Plastron of adult male concave; flat in the female. DISTRIBUTION: Mainly restricted to lowlands of dry, intermediate and semi-arid Regions, at sea level to 300m above. Extra-limital eastern Pakistan and north-western and southern India HABITAT AND HABITS: Inhabit scrub forests, agricultural fields, grassland, thorn scrub, and home gardens. Crepuscular and terrestrial. Feeds on...

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- Published: 2020-03-10
- Modified: 2020-04-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/emydidae-red-eared-slider-trachemys-scripta/

EMYDIDAE (FRESHWATER TERRAPINS) Emydids are primarily freshwater Testudines, though some species inhabit brackish waters and a few are terrestrial. Their sizes are variable (11-60cm in length). In some species the carapace is domed, but most have a low-arching carapace. Ninety-five species in 33 genera are known from North America, northern South America, Europe, north-western Africa, and Asia. A single introduced species occur in Sri Lanka. Red-eared Slider (Trachemys Scripta) 30cm (Sinhala Rathu-kopul Gal Ibha) DESCRIPTION: Body medium-sized, Carapace oval and flattened. Forelimbs and Hindle partially webbed, and fingers bear long claws, Carapace has dark green background bight and dark, highly variable markings. Head and limbs dark greyish with yellow stripes Lateral side of the head show a bright red or orange patch behind eves. DISTRIBUTION: Imported to Sri Lanka around 1992 by aquarium traders to be sold for the pet trade. Some individuals escaped or were released into natural waters by pet owners. Currently, there are known established populations in the Western Province. One stray specimen was also seen in the Central Province (Gampola). Native to south-central and eastern USA subspecies T. s. elegant has been introduced to many countries worldwide. Due to its highly COmpetitive nature, considered to be one of the 100 worst invasive species. HABITAT AND HABITS: Favour freshwater, inhabiting marshes, lakes, ponds, and streams Fully aquatic species. Feeds on aquatic invertebrates, fish and plants. Female lays 2-30 eggs in a burrow dug on land.

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- Published: 2020-03-10
- Modified: 2020-04-17
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-to-testudines/

TESTUDINES The order Testudines comprises reptiles characterized by having bodies enclosed in shells consisting of a dorsal carapace and a ventral plastron. They include Turtles, fresh water terrapins and land tortoises. The shell is formed through the fr of ribs. The jaw has tough, horny plates for gripping food. Nine species (five marine turtles, three freshwater terrapins and one tortoise) in six families are known from Sri Lanka. One species is restricted to Sri Lanka, while another has been introduced through the pet trade. EMYDIDAE (FRESHWATER TERRAPINS) Emydids are primarily freshwater Testudines, though some species inhabit brackish waters and a few are terrestrial. Their sizes are variable (11-60cm in length). In some species the carapace is domed, but most have a low-arching carapace. Ninety-five species in 33 genera are known from North America, northern South America, Europe, north-western Africa, and Asia. A single introduced species occur in Sri Lanka. Order Testudines characterized by an uncommon hard or cartilaginous shell created from their ribs and going about as a shield. "Turtle" may allude to the request in general (American English) or to new water and ocean staying Testudines (British English). The Order Testudines incorporates both surviving (living) and wiped out species. The most punctual known individuals from this gathering date from the Middle Jurassic, making turtles one of the most seasoned reptile gatherings and a more obsolescent gathering than snakes or crocodilians. Of the 356 known species alive today, some are profoundly endangered. Turtles are ectotherms—creatures regularly called relentless—implying that their...

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- Published: 2020-03-10
- Modified: 2020-04-02
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/mugger-crocodile-crocodylus-palustris/

DESCRIPTION: The Body is large and elongated. Snout broad. Well-developed shields behind the head and neck Feet webbed. Juveniles light tan or brown, with dark cross-bands on body and tail Adulsrev to brown. Crocodylus palustris Drawings from Wermuth & Fuchs (1978) Used with kind permission of Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart. DISTRIBUTION: Widely distributed in all water sources in dry zones. Common in Yala National Park and Jaffna peninsula. Extra-limital: India, East Pakistan and Nepal. HABITAT AND HABITS: Found in various aquatic habitats such as rivers, estuaries, lagoons, tanks, canals, agro-wells and other waterways. Mainly nocturnal in behavior, but diurnal activities such as basking, foraging, migrating over land, and digging nests and burrows are also seen. In some lakes, 50-60 muggers can be seen basking. Hatchlings feed on insects, amphibians, fish, and crustaceans; adults feed on fish, terrapins, tortoises, lizards, snakes, birds, monkeys and dogs. It also attacks large mammals and occasionally humans. Oviparous, laying 10-30 eggs in a pit dug on the sandy bank close to water.

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- Published: 2020-03-10
- Modified: 2020-04-17
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/saltwater-crocodile-crocodylus-porosus/

saltwater crocodile Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) 6. 2m (Sinhala gata Kimbula Tamil Semmukhan, Semmukko Muthalei) DESCRIPTION: Head Lange Snout more elongated than in Mugger Crocodile with pair of ridges running from orbit to center of snout Neck more granular than in Mugger Juveniles brightly colored-black spotted or blotched on pale yellow or grey background Colouration of dorsum less bright in adults. The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is a crocodilian local to saltwater territories and harsh wetlands from India's east coast across Southeast Asia and the Sundaic district to northern Australia and Micronesia. It has been recorded as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 1996. It was pursued its skin all through its range up to the 1970s and is undermined by illicit murdering and natural surroundings misfortune. It is viewed as perilous for individuals who share an equivalent environment. The saltwater crocodile is frequently professed to be the biggest living crocodilian. Guys develop to a length of up to 6 m (20 ft), once in a while surpassing 6. 1 m (20 ft) or a load of 1,000–1,075 kg (2,205–2,370 lb). Females are a lot littler and once in a while outperform 3 m (9. 8 ft). It is otherwise called the estuarine crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, marine crocodile, ocean crocodile or casually as saltie. The saltwater crocodile is a huge and pioneering hyper carnivorous zenith predator. It ambushes the vast majority of its prey and afterward suffocates or gulps down it. It is equipped for beating practically any...

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- Published: 2020-03-10
- Modified: 2020-04-07
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-for-crocodylidae-crocodiles/

The Crocodilia order comprises large, solidly built, lizard-like reptiles with long, flattened snouts, laterally compressed tails, and eyes, ears and nostrils at the top of the head. Their evolutionary beginnings date back to the early Triassic period more than 250 million years ago. They are semi-aquatic, and are the world's largest living reptiles, with some individuals reaching 6m in length and weighing almost a tone. In Sri Lanka, Crocodilia is represented by one family, the Crocodylidae. This family comprises 15 extant species distributed in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. All species are predators of small to large prey. Two species occur in Sri Lanka, and some large individuals may pose a danger to humans and livestock. All species link to wetlands such as rivers, lakes, dams, and mangroves. They are oviparous, lay large, soft-shelled eggs in mounds or holes dug in the ground. The sizes of crocodiles differ significantly. It depends on the type of species as well as where they live. It relies upon the sort of species just as where they live. There are 23 known types of them found on the planet. What is truly wondrous is that crocodiles have been around since the origin of time. It is accepted that they were roaming around on Earth during the hour of dinosaurs. While most different kinds of creatures have experienced serious changes because of evolution in order to remain they are virtually unchanged after all that time. It is calculated that they...

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- Published: 2020-03-09
- Modified: 2020-04-17
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/introduction-for-dragon-lizards/

Lizards are a far-reaching gathering of squamate reptiles, with more than 6,000 species, extending over all landmasses aside from Antarctica, just as most maritime island chains. The gathering is paraphyletic as it bars the snakes and Amphisbaenia; a few lizards are all the more firmly identified with these two barred gatherings than they are to different lizards. Lizards run in size from chameleons and geckos a couple of centimeters long to the 3-meter long Komodo mythical beast. Most lizards are quadrupedal, running with a solid side-to-side movement. Others are legless and have long snake-like bodies. Whatever as the timberland abiding Draco lizards can coast. They are frequently regional, the guys warding off different guys and flagging, regularly with splendid hues, to draw in mates and to scare rivals. Lizards are primarily predatory, regularly being sit-and-hold up predators; numerous littler species eat creepy crawlies, while the Komodo eats warm-blooded animals as large as water wild bull. Lizards utilize an assortment of antipredator adjustments, including venom, cover, reflex dying, and the capacity to forfeit and regrow their tails. LIZARDS are a broad group of reptiles generally characterized by the presence of limbs and external ear openings, though some species have lost these features due to secondary adaptations. Sri Lanka is home to 104 species of lizard in 10 families (Agamidae, Chameleonidae, Gekkonidae, Lacertidae, Lygosomidac. Mabuyidae. Ratellidae Scincidae, Sphenomorphidae and Varanidae). Of these, 83 species are endemic Lanka. Agamids, or dragon lizards, Agamidae is a family of over 300 species of iguanian lizards...

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- Published: 2020-01-26
- Modified: 2020-01-26
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/bodhinagala-forest-hermitage-trail-3/

https://youtu. be/rb6dIFw766s

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- Published: 2020-01-26
- Modified: 2020-01-26
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/monster-fish-feeding-frenzy-redtail-catfish/

https://youtu. be/hSVIvGO97-E

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- Published: 2020-01-26
- Modified: 2020-01-26
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/bodhinagala-forest-reserve-behind-the-scenes/

https://youtu. be/YBNNTPNTe4E

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- Published: 2020-01-26
- Modified: 2020-01-26
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/setting-up-a-low-budget-planted-tank-wild-freaks/

https://youtu. be/gXcUw3aS8PQ

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- Published: 2020-01-26
- Modified: 2020-01-26
- URL: https://teamwildfreaks.com/combtails-in-their-natural-habitat/

https://youtu. be/rP1U2fp-a0s

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