Get close enough to our Sri Lankan leopards to count their whiskers and study the spots on their coats. Despite relentless hunting for their patterned coats, leopards are adaptable felines – they remain the most abundant cat species in the Old World.

The clouded leopards, though, are not as fortunate. Persecuted by poachers, their numbers are dwindling in the wild. They're known for their ability to climb down a tree headfirst - try to spot them in the act.

Once widespread across Southwest Asia, the Asiatic lions are now only found in India’s Gir Forest. To conserve energy for hunting, they spend up to 20 hours a day sleeping and resting. Lions hunt by stealth as they lack the stamina to outrun their prey, sneaking up on their target before charging in for the kill. Hunting is usually done by the lionesses in the cover of night. Similarly, you’ll likely see our lions at Night Safari up and about during their feeding times.

Over at Mangrove Walk, the skies are the domain of the Malayan flying foxes. Unlike the flying squirrels which glide, flying foxes belong to the only group of mammals capable of powered flight – bats. Leave those morbid associations of bats with vampires and blood-sucking at the gate. Our bats prefer juicy fruits, which are placed strategically on the trees to encourage them to fly. They may fly pass just inches above your head but have no fear for they are not blind as popularly believed. They've huge eyes with good eyesight to look for fruits and flowers at night. Watch their nightly feast while enjoying the breeze from flapping bat wings.