The reptilian family of Sinharaja is represented by 45 species, of which 21 are endemic. This includes a large proportion of snakes, several lizards, tortoises and skinks. Among the snakes, two very rare species have been recorded. These are the burrowing fossorial species Rhinophis tricolorate and Haploceros ceylonensis.Rhinophis was first described as recently as 1975 and was sighted at Sinharaja in 1982, the first time it was found in the wild. Haploceros was considered to be a rare montane species found at elevations of 1700 to 2300 meters, until it was recorded in Sinharaja at elevations of 300 to 500 meters.
Among the venomous species that occur in the forest are the Green-Pit viper which is arboreal, the Hump-nosed Viper and the Krait which frequents the forest floor . The Cobra is seen occasionally while the rustle's Viper has been observed in secondary vegetation, although not seem in the undisturbed forest.
Among the lizards, the commonest is the familiar Green Garden Lizard. Several rare and endemic species of lizards are found in the forest. Among these are Calotes liolepis ,an arboreal species which is one of the rarest in the island, the Earless Lizard and the Rough-nose Horned Lizard are species of the forest floor with very restricted disturbed rain forests. A few species of gekos are also common.
Among the venomous species that occur in the forest are the Green-Pit viper which is arboreal, the Hump-nosed Viper and the Krait which frequents the forest floor . The Cobra is seen occasionally while the rustle's Viper has been observed in secondary vegetation, although not seem in the undisturbed forest.
Among the lizards, the commonest is the familiar Green Garden Lizard. Several rare and endemic species of lizards are found in the forest. Among these are Calotes liolepis ,an arboreal species which is one of the rarest in the island, the Earless Lizard and the Rough-nose Horned Lizard are species of the forest floor with very restricted disturbed rain forests. A few species of gekos are also common.
The skins found in the wet-zone of Sri Lanka are of evolutionary significance. The five genera of limbless lizards or the Acintoniae exhibt a prograssive series from limbed to limbless forms. The only other centers of distribution of these genera are Madagascar and South Africa. In the Sinharaja, this faunal group is represented by Nessia burtoni or the Three-toed Skink, an endemic genus. How ever, its most likely that several more species of unidentified skins may be present.
