Ceratophora tennentii (Günther, 1861)

The Leafnose lizard / Peti Angkatussa ENDEMIC. Average Total Length = 130mm

The Knuckles Range is the only known refuge of the relict agamid and is the only agamid in Sri Lanka to have an IUCN Red listing (1990) of VULNERABLE.

Observations by Anslem de Silva and others suggest this designation should be placed under the designation ENDANGERED

The characteristic nose of the Ceratophora tennentii appears to have some sort of use, which Project Knuckles could not determine.

It was observed to change colour and move, perhaps suggesting its use as a method of communication, or perhaps it is to attract prey.

Whilst it was considered that the cultivation of cardamom in the Knuckles Cloud Forest would lead to a drastic decline in the Ceratophora tennentii populations, Project Knuckles observed the lizards to be thriving in such artificial habitats.

Lyriocephalus scutatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Humpnose lizard / Gatahombu Katussa ENDEMIC Average Total Length = 300mm

The species is the only representative of its genus in the world. IUCN status NOT EVALUATED, as data on the endangered level of the species is currently inconclusive.

A living dinosaur, the Lyriocephalus scutatus is a formidable icon of Sri Lankan herpetology, and the country's leading Herpetological journal is named in its honour.

Robust beauty, eleborate texture and the best teeth in the Range makes this species a wonder to behold.

But despite its acclaim in Sri Lanka, very little is known of its ecology.

Research continues as Project Knuckles hopes to establish whether or not this lizard is endangered.

Cophotis ceylinica (Peters, 1861)

Pygmy Lizard / Kandukara Kurukatussa This species is ENDEMIC to Sri Lanka.

Project Knuckles believes that the species should be placed under the IUCN status of VULNERABLE.

Several major mass mortality events have been observed in nearby locations of Hagala and Nuwara Eliya, whereby populations dropped.

The species was not observed in the Knuckles for several years, but Project Knuckles 2004 managed to locate 3 speciments.

Cophotis ceylanica is found in Knuckles and in Nuwara Eliya and the Horton Plains central massif.

These two hill regions are separated by wide lowlands and thus the two populations have existed in isolation from one another for thousands of years.

It is believed by Anslem de Silva that the Cophotis ceylanica in the Knuckles range is different, but DNA studies will confirm whether the two populations are distinct and separate subspecies.

If this is the case, the discovery will be a valuable zoological contribution to the world as not only is this genus endemic to Sri Lanka but it is a monotypic species, the ONLY species of its genus in the world.

When Project Knuckles identified three species it allayed fears that the population had become extinct in the range.

However, as only three were discovered, it highlighted that the Cophotis ceylanica population had dropped considerably in the last few decades.

Further research is crucial in order to ascertain the status of the species and whether or not the Knuckles population is in fact a separate sub-species.

Chalcidoseps thwaitesii (Günther, 1872)

The Four-toe snakeskink / Caturanguli sarpiyahikanala. It is endemic to Sri Lanka and has an average total length of 110 mm.

It is a monotypic species (The only species of its genus in the world) and has an IUCN classification of ENDANGERED.

Almost othing is known of the biology or status of this sub-fossorial skink.

Very few researchers in Sri Lanka have (except Anslem de Silva) have done any investigations on its ecology.

They are commonly found living under rocks and logs.

When disturbed they wriggle very quickly and one must be very fast in order to catch a specimen.

Calotes liolepis (Boulenger, 1885)

The Whistling or Forest Lizard / Sivuruhandalana Katussa, this species is ENDEMIC to Sri Lanka

The species has been labelled NOT EVALUATED for IUCN classification.

A vividly coloured species, the Calotes liolepis can shift from deep green to black in a matter of seconds.

Their colour adapting behaviour and elusive nature meant that they were a difficult species to spot in the field.

Calotes ceylonensis (Müller, 1887)

The Painted-lip Lizard / Thola-visituru Katussa

This species is also NOT EVALUATED by the IUCN

Otocryptis wiegmanni (Wagler, 1830)

The Sri Lankan Kangaroo lizard / Gomu talikatussa, this species has an average total length of 175mm

Its IUCN status is LOWER RISK - NEAR THREATENED

Lankascincus fallax (Peters 1880)

The Common Lanka Skink / Sulaba Lakhiraluva is ENDEMIC to Sri Lanka and has an average total length of 80mm

Its IUCN status is NOT EVALUATED

Ahaetulla nastus

The Green Vine Snake

Lycodon striatus sinhaleyus

Shaw's Wolf Snake

Limnonectes corrugatus (Peters, 1863)

The Corrugated water frog / Vakarali Madiya is ENDEMIC to Sri Lanka