Reptile forecasters of SriLankan rural life

Animals are a part of our nature. The study on animals has revealed many interesting facts about animals. The researchers about animals' characteristics and their behaviour have scientific features. Even though the different societies of the world have their own views about the behaviour patterns of animals focussing on their culture and beliefs. Some people specially in Asian countries have personalized these behaviours of animals into their day today life. This is such an interesting field to study how people have connected their lives with different animal behaviour. 

SriLankan rural villagers had a belief that certain animals are able to forecast through their behaviour about the changes in human lives. 

People in rural villages during the past strongly believed that "Bodilima" has born as an animal having an evil spirit. There is a nice story woven about it. Once upon a time, a pregnant wife who was hit by her husband escaped from him and died without giving the birth to her baby. Villagers believed that this dead pregnant lady got her birth as "Bodilima" having an evil spirit. Though the story is true or false, the sound that this animal produces is considered to the scream that pregnant mother makes while in her delivery. So, rural villagers thought its unpleasant sound forecasts about a disaster or the spread of a dangerous disease. It also believed that if this noise is heard by a male can be risky to him as well. 

Rural villagers had also a belief that the chief occupant of the house will be died if the animal monitor suddenly enters their huts. So, entering the monitor to a house is considered as a misfortune to the chief occupant. 

Rural villagers also believed that gecko as a powerful forecaster. There was a learning area in Srilankan rural culture that indicates if a gecko falls on someone's body how it affects that person's future. 

Cobra is another creature belongs to the group of reptiles believed to be a respectful animal in Sri Lankan rural culture. Cobra is considered as a protector of treasures. During the past, people worshipped cobras and accepted them as gods. 

The life of rural villagers was mostly planned during the past with these mythical beliefs but when the time passes and with the advancement of technology, people changed their mindset to more developed status.