Eye Colour of Sri Lanka Elephants (Elephas maximus maximus)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate and scientifically document the eye colours of Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maxim us maxim us). This was done using 123 domesticated elephants (64 males and 68 females) between April 1993 and April 1994 in 13 of the 24 administrative districts of the country. Both eyes were examined for the colour of the iris, and the sex and morphotype of each animal was noted. The results show two eye colours, brown [113 (91.8%): males 57, females 56)] and gray [10 (8.2%): males 7, females 3] Brown had three shades; dark brown (12.2%: Atha =0, Aliya 5, Pussa 1, Athinna 3, Alidena 6), light brown (59.3% : Atha 9, Aliya 23, Pussa 4, Athinna 19, Alidena 18) or honey (20.3% : Atha 1, Aliya 6, Pussa 1, Athinna I, Alidena 2).