Land Mammals of Sri Lanka: A Field Companion

Description:

Here at last is a portable yet authoritative and comprehensive guide to Sri Lanka’s rich mammal fauna! It follows the author’s monumental monograph The Mammals of Sri Lanka published by the Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka in 2013. Richly illustrated, with colour plates by renowned Sri Lankan wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira, as well as numerous photographs and line drawings, this field guide covers every one of the over 100 terrestrial species found in the country. The book not only helps the reader to identify species, but it also gives context to their presence in Sri Lanka by providing backgrounds on the biogeography of the island’s mammals and sections on the country’s physiography and climate. The mammals of Sri Lanka have been called ‘an unusual fauna that is begging to be studied’ (Dr. Burton Lim, Royal Ontario Museum), and this book aims to assist readers in that endeavour. While written for the wildlife enthusiast, the meticulous detail will also be invaluable for the researcher.

Mammal names are given in Sinhala, Tamil, English, French, German, and Spanish to assist both local and foreign observers. Each Order of mammals is introduced from an evolutionary context and there is much else besides. It is indeed a ‘Companion’ for the wildlife enthusiast. Every species is thoroughly described, covering ‘Size’, ‘Identification’, ‘Where to See’, ‘Behaviour’, ‘Food’, ‘Reproduction’, and ‘IUCN Conservation Status’. Distribution maps are provided for each species. The latest taxonomic developments are described, and source references are provided when relevant. Sections on spectrograms of bat echolocation calls and those of other mammals follow, including QR codes for mammal calls that you can listen to on your smartphone. This last feature is unique for a book on mammals. Finally, there is a short guide to Yala National Park, a favourite tourist destination.