Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) mid-morning rock basking: Yala granite inselbergs?

In Yala Block 1, leopards frequently ascend massive granite inselbergs (such as Jamburagala, Kotigala, and Buthawa rock) during late morning. Following dawn hunting, the open rocky heights provide three distinct advantages: elevating the animal above biting stable flies and sand flies breeding in dense thorn scrub, catching cooling coastal sea breezes, and providing commanding sightlines across surrounding waterholes to track roaming spotted deer herds. Leopards drape across shaded granite overhangs or tree branches growing out of rock fissures.