Herping in Sri Lanka the frogs and endemic amphibians and reptiles where do I find them and is now a good time

Rainforest guide so the herping picture and it is a paradise A biodiversity hotspot YES Sri Lanka is a global biodiversity hotspot with an extraordinary level of ENDEMISM in its amphibians and reptiles the wet zone rainforests teem with endemic FROGS (including the famous shrub frogs the genus with dozens of endemic species many tiny and jewel like) endemic LIZARDS (the agamas like the hump nosed and the kangaroo lizards the endemic geckos) endemic SNAKES and more it is one of the great herping destinations punching far above its size for a herper it is a dream Where to go the WET ZONE RAINFORESTS are the heartland SINHARAJA (the premier rainforest superb for endemic herps) the KANNELIYA forest the rainforests around DENIYAYA and the south west wet zone the hill country cloud forests (KNUCKLES the Peak Wilderness) for the montane endemics these wet forests hold the highest endemic herp diversity base near a rainforest and explore Night walks YES the key the NIGHT WALK is how you find the herps especially the FROGS they come alive after dark calling and active a guided night walk in or at the edge of a rainforest with a torch reveals the frogs (clinging to leaves calling by streams) geckos and nocturnal life it is the single best herping method (the night walk also finds the loris and other creatures the night walk threads) do a few night walks with a specialist guide The wet season and NOW timing this is the GOOD NEWS for you the WET SEASON is PRIME for herping especially FROGS frogs breed and call with the rains so they are most active abundant and visible when it is wet right NOW the southwest monsoon is soaking the wet zone rainforests (the seasonal threads) which is EXACTLY when the frogs are at their best so June is a great time for rainforest frogs the rain brings them out embrace the wet forest (and the leeches the leech threads come with the territory bring protection) Lizards geckos and snakes safely the day reveals the agamas and lizards (basking) night the geckos and frogs SNAKES yes there are endemic and other snakes (observe do not handle keep a respectful distance some are venomous the snakebite caution threads) a knowledgeable guide finds and identifies them safely Get a specialist guide a HERPING or naturalist guide who knows the species and spots is invaluable they find the tiny endemics you would walk past and keep it safe and ethical (no over handling) so for herping head to the WET ZONE rainforests (Sinharaja Kanneliya the Deniyaya forests) do guided NIGHT WALKS for the frogs and nocturnal herps come NOW in the wet season which is prime time for the calling breeding frogs use a specialist guide for the endemics and observe snakes respectfully it is a world class herping destination and you have picked a great season