The Surprising National Animals of Sri Lanka

(updated March 2024)

If you are wondering what the national animal of Sri Lanka is, you are in for a surprise. There are numerous animals that have this moniker, so it can be confusing. However, during a recent safari in Sri Lanka, I learned the facts about the country’s animals.

The Sri Lankan giant squirrel, or grizzled giant squirrel, is the national animal of Sri Lanka. Known by its scientific name, Ratufa macroura, it is one of four giant squirrels in the world. Yet, the government may delist the rodent’s status because of its destructive habits. 

While this might not be the top query on every travel blog, it’s about time we clear up the uncertainty. Keep reading to learn more about the grizzled giant squirrel and other national animals of Sri Lanka.

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Is There an Official Animal of Sri Lanka?

Obviously, there seems to be confusion about the national animal in Sri Lanka. If you do a search, you might get more answers than you bargained for. Elephants, lions, butterflies and fowl, are all stated as official animals of Sri Lanka. Which one is correct?

What Are the National Animals of Sri Lanka?

There are, in fact, three distinguished animals in Sri Lanka. The national animal is the Sri Lankan giant squirrel. The national bird is the Sri Lankan junglefowl. Finally, the national butterfly is the Sri Lankan birdwing.

What Is a Sri Lankan Giant Squirrel (Grizzled Giant Squirrel)?

Have you heard of a Sri Lankan giant squirrel? Even if you are a world traveler, the grizzled giant squirrel probably isn’t familiar.

Here are a few brief facts about Sri Lanka’s giant squirrel:

• The grizzled giant squirrel is one of the four giant squirrels in the world.
• It’s also called the Indian grizzled giant squirrel because it bears two-toned shades of black and gray. Thus, having a grizzled appearance.
• Its body grows up to 18 inches and long tail giving it a total length of 25-30 inches.
• The squirrel’s scientific name is Ratufa macroura.
• This member of the rodent family lives in the forests of Sri Lanka and India.
• Sri Lankan squirrels are native to Sri Lanka and India on the continent of Asia.
• To avoid predators, the tree-dwelling squirrel bounds through the treetops.
• In Sri Lanka, the giant squirrel is called “dadulena” in Sinhalese.
• Sri Lanka’s grizzled squirrel is not the world’s largest, but it is bigger than squirrels in the United States.
• In Sri Lanka, the giant squirrel lives in the highlands of the Central and Uva Provinces near Sri Lanka’s tea country.

How Was the Giant Squirrel in Sri Lanka Recognized as the National Animal?

How the giant squirrel of Sri Lanka was chosen as the official animal is unknown. Unfortunately, a thorough search of the literature remains inconclusive. Yet, it appears to be a mystery to the Sri Lankan people as well (as you can read in the following quote).

“But as the species has been named as the national animal of Sri Lanka, a problematic situation has arisen to include it in that list. There was no clear conclusion as to who named the animal as the national animal.”

Dailynews.lk

Why Is the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Controversial?

The giant squirrel’s status is controversial because it is an invasive species. Often, farmers persecute the squirrels, irked by crop damage caused by the animals. To the Sri Lankan community, the giant squirrel is a pest.

Therefore, sources report that the giant squirrel might be delisted because of its destructive habits. If that happens, the Sri Lankan leopard could replace the squirrel as the national animal. Over the next few years it will be interesting to see whether the squirrel loses its status in the country.

“Farmer associations have therefore requested to nominate another native animal to Sri Lanka that is threatened with extinction as the national animal instead of the grizzled giant squirrel,” said Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Agriculture.

newscutter.lk

What Is the National Bird of Sri Lanka?

It’s not completely off base to think the Sri Lankan junglefowl is the national animal. However, that notion is false. The confusion likely stems from the fact that the junglefowl is the national bird of Sri Lanka.

Here are a few interesting facts about Sri Lanka’s national bird:

• The Sri Lankan junglefowl is also called the Ceylon junglefowl
• Its scientific name is Gallus lafayetii.
• The Ceylon junglefowl is an endemic bird of Sri Lanka and not found anywhere else in the world.
• It is wild and resembles a chicken.
• They range in size from 14–28 inches in length and 1.124–2.51lbs in weight.
• The male is colorful and larger in size and weight. The female has muted brown colors.
• It roosts in trees at night for safety.
• Sri Lankan junglefowl are omnivores and eat different grasses seeds, seed pods, berries, flower petals, termites, ants, beetles, ticks, centipedes, grasshoppers and mollusks.
• They are common in Sri Lanka and are not endangered.

What Is the National Butterfly of Sri Lanka?

In addition to the national bird, Sri Lanka has a national butterfly. The national butterfly of Sri Lanka is the Sri Lankan birdwing.

Here are a few interesting facts about the Sri Lanka birdwing butterfly:

• The Sri Lankan birdwing is the largest butterfly in the country.
• It is one of Sri Lanka’s 246 butterfly species, 26 of which is endemic to the nation.
• Sri Lankan birdwing’s scientific name is Troides darsius.
• This butterfly is black, white, and yellow with large 5-6 inch wings.
• The national butterfly’s Sinhala name is “Siyothpiya“.
• According to the IUCN List of Threatened Species, the birdwing is in the “least concern” category.
• Deforestation threatens the birdwing.
• Sri Lanka’s birdwing butterfly belongs to the family Papilionidae; the swallowtails.
• It lives at higher elevations in the mountains of Sri Lanka.
• The image of the birdwing butterfly was on a postage stamp of Sri Lanka in 1978.

Why Are Elephants Mistaken as the National Animal in Sri Lanka?

It’s common to mistake the elephant as the national animal of Sri Lanka. Elephants hold symbolic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka. They appear in Sri Lankan art, culture, festivals and literature. Elephant safaris are also popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Despite their almost sacred status, they are not the national animal of Sri Lanka.

Why Are Lions Falsely Considered a National Animal of Sri Lanka?

Perhaps lions get confused as the national animal of Sri Lanka because they are a dominant cultural symbol. Lions are depicted in art, landmarks such as Sigiriya (aka Lion’s Rock), and on the Sri Lankan flag. Importantly, Sri Lanka’s ethnic majority are called Sinhalese, derived from the meaning the “lion people” or “people with lion blood“.

Lions are a Sri Lankan symbol, but not a national animal in Sri Lanka. Did you know that lions do not currently exist in Sri Lanka? The only proof that lions once roamed the country are from prehistoric fossils.

“Apart from the leopard, which still persists in all natural habitats across Sri Lanka, the only big cat recognised from the island is an extinct lion… Based on these, P. Deraniyagala (1939) erected a new subspecies of lion, Panthera leo sinhaleyus”.

National University of Singapore

Animals of Sri Lanka: FAQs

1. What is the National Animal of Sri Lanka?

The Sri Lankan giant squirrel is the national animal of Sri Lanka. However, the government may delist the rodent’s status in the future because of its destructive habits.

2. Is the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Endangered?

As a result of human conflict and habitat destruction, the Sri Lankan giant squirrel is a threatened species. Consequently, giant squirrel conservation efforts are in place to protect the animals in both India and Sri Lanka.

3. Are Lions a Symbol or a National Animal of Sri Lanka?

Sri Lanka’s flag and national emblem contain lions which symbolize the bravery of the Sinhalese. Sri Lanka’s main ethnicity, “Sinhalese”, means the “lion people” or “people with lion blood”. Lions are an important symbol in Sri Lanka, but not a national animal. In fact, lions are extinct in Sri Lanka.

4. Why Does Wikipedia Say, “There is No Official Animal of Sri Lanka”?

Wikipedia falsely states, “There is no official animal in Sri Lanka. The elephant, lion, and grizzled giant squirrel are locally considered as such.” However, if that was true, why would the Agriculture Minister discuss delisting the giant squirrel as the official national animal?

5. Is the Elephant a National Animal of Sri Lanka or a National Symbol?

The elephant is represented in art, religious festivals, literature and Sri Lankan culture. Despite their almost sacred status, they are not the national animal of Sri Lanka, but a national symbol.   

Sri Lanka’s National Animals: Final Thoughts

Without a doubt, Sri Lanka has a plethora of national symbols. It has a national sport, national flower, national tree, national dress, national animals and more. Elephants and lions have important cultural significance. Yet, they are not official animals of the country. While the giant squirrel might be controversial, it is the true national animal of Sri Lanka. Time will tell if the Sri Lankan giant squirrel will keep its official status. Now you understand more about the national animal, national bird and national butterfly of this South Asian country.