{"id":137,"date":"2016-01-12T15:55:57","date_gmt":"2016-01-12T15:55:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mercuryholidays.co.uk\/oyster\/?p=137"},"modified":"2016-09-20T17:00:51","modified_gmt":"2016-09-20T16:00:51","slug":"sri-lanka-sea-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mercuryholidays.co.uk\/inspire\/natural-world\/wildlife\/sri-lanka-sea-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Big secrets beneath the waves in Sri Lanka"},"content":{"rendered":"

Can you recall the last time you found yourself completely and utterly amazed, goose bumps, breath-taking, jaw dropping awe? \u00a0When were you last left overwhelmed by the astounding realisation that our natural world is truly incredible? Well, Sri Lanka is ready to remind you. An island of contrast and wonder, Sri Lanka is a treasure trove bursting with ancient sites, legendary temples, endless beaches, spectacular landscapes, natural wonders and wild life in abundance. But amongst its many offerings Sri Lanka possesses one gigantic and alluring asset, for which it is a country like no other. This tiny island is one of the few places in the world which boasts the possibility of seeing in a single day, the largest animal walking the earth and the most enormous mammal ever to have graced the ocean waves.<\/p>\n

\"Blue<\/p>\n

For just a few months of year, deep in the calm, clear blue seas surrounding Sri Lanka, something remarkable happens. Off the southern tip of the island close to the deep waters of the continental shelf, the most sought after marine mammals in the world gather for a feeding frenzy of epic proportions. From late January to early April an astonishing assortment of whales and dolphins come together here to hunt and feast in an event which fortunately for us, results in the greatest window of opportunity to catch a glimpse of so many different species of these fascinating creatures. At no other time or place on the planet is there such potential and this is why Sri Lanka is fast emerging as just about the best place to be for whale and dolphin watching.<\/p>\n

In amongst a wealth of dorsal fins, tails and blow holes there are those belonging to a legendary creature an encounter with which is so thrilling and\u00a0so inspiring, it\u2019s an experience pursued the world over. The most esteemed guest at this aquatic banquet is the largest animal that ever lived, the enigmatic, mysterious and majestic ruler of the sea, the Blue Whale.\"WhaleBut why, in such a vast expanse of ocean do Blue Whales come to the shores of Sri Lanka? Well, these creatures are illusive, they may be the ocean\u2019s largest inhabitant but we know very little about their behaviour. It is possible that some of the population may be residents in the surrounding seas and simply come closer to shore in winter, though such a dramatic increase in the number of Blue Whales for such a short period may also be attributed to the island\u2019s unique position within the Indian Ocean. It is understood that the meeting of the warm coastal waters with the cooler waters of the continental shelf cause rich nutrients to rise from the ocean bed; this feeds the krill which in turn feed the whales. Given their immense size, they can eat up to five tons a day of these tiny, tasty crustaceans. It is this cycle, combined with calm seas and what is believed to be the Blue Whale\u2019s migratory path passing just off Sri Lanka\u2019s southernmost tip, which results in the highest density of Blue Whales anywhere. Blue Wales are rare by nature; they were hunted almost to extinction. Their environment is unstable and much like every other animal on earth the biggest threat to their existence is mankind. They can hold their breath for up to half an hour and only surface for minutes at a time, so whilst everywhere else the odds may be stacked against you, here during these months, your chances of seeing one increase to around 90%\"Blue<\/p>\n

Blubber, Bone\u00a0& Baleen, Big Facts\u00a0& Whale Stats<\/h3>\n