Look into the Eyes of Sri Lanka’s Monitor Lizard

For many years a big water monitor lizard and a bald eagle have been publicly fed every day in an acquaintance’s hotel nearby. This outing is a very special spectacle that is absolutely worth recommending. You can hardly come so close to this elegant animal otherwise. And it is a really impressive specimen, by the way.

The feeding is closely watched from a lofty height by Sri Lanka’s white-tailed eagle. If there are not too many people for it, it pounces on the food offered.

The beautiful gardens lead to a pond with a natural jetty, and finally to a pavilion, embedded in the pond with water lilies and bustling fishes and turtles. Here you can enjoy tea and watch in safety how the monitor lizard punctually approaches the jetty and climbs out of the water. Despite its considerable size, it moves elegantly, showing barely any fear. If it finds dogs being too close, it bloats its throat and frighteningly spits to make them quickly leave it alone. Since it has no teeth, it swallows the food piece by piece. With its split tongue, it reminds a snake when viewed from the front.

Roland Raphael accompanies you personally during this excursion as he always readily calls on his acquaintance.