What reptiles live in Udawalawe National Park?

Udawalawe hosts a wide range of reptiles, with mugger crocodiles being the most prominent, plus massive Asian water monitors, Indian rock pythons, and several endemic lizards that are found only there.

You will see the water monitors everywhere around the reservoir and the mudholes. They keep roaming and scavenging for fish, carrion, and other leftovers. The park also has venomous snakes like Russell’s viper and the Indian cobra, though in practice they usually keep away from the main safari tracks, and they rarely become an issue for tourists riding in vehicles. The dry rocky outcrops act as ideal basking places for agamid lizards, so the sunning spots are everywhere.