Plestiodon marginatus Japanese name: オキナワトカゲChinese name: 沖繩石龍子English name: Okinawa SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Yoronjima, Okinoerabujima The Okinawa Skink reaches a total length of about 15–19 cm and is distributed in the Okinawa Islands as well as on Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima in the Amami Islands. It mainly inhabits coastal forests and grasslands, in contrast to Barbour’s Skink… Continue reading Okinawa Skink
Author: YambaruWanyu
Okinawa Short-Legged Skink
Ateuchosaurus okinavensis Japanese name: オキナワヒメトカゲChinese name: 沖繩光蜥English name: Okinawa Short-Legged SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands The genus Ateuchosaurus is characterized by very short limbs and currently includes three species: The Okinawa Short-Legged Skink reaches a total length of about 10–13 cm and is often active under forest leaf litter, making it difficult to observe. On Okinawajima, it… Continue reading Okinawa Short-Legged Skink
Tokara Habu
Protobothrops tokarensis Japanese name: トカラハブChinese name: 寶島原矛頭蝮English name: Tokara HabuOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima) The Tokara Habu is an endemic species restricted to Takarajima and Kodakarajima. Species of the genus Protobothrops do not occur beyond the deep sea trench between Kodakarajima and Akusekijima, a biogeographic boundary known as the “Watase Line.” This snake measures about… Continue reading Tokara Habu
Oshima Skink
Plestiodon oshimensis Japanese name: オオシマトカゲChinese name: 大島石龍子English name: Oshima SkinkOrigin: Amami Islands (except Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima) The Oshima Skink is a medium-sized lizard reaching about 20 cm in total length and 6–11 cm in snout-to-vent length. It closely resembles the Ryukyu Skink (Plestiodon marginatus), which occurs in the Okinawa Islands… Continue reading Oshima Skink
Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Fejervarya kawamurai Japanese name: ヌマガエルChinese name: 川村氏澤蛙、川村陸蛙English name: Kawamura’s Rice Field FrogOrigin: Western Honshu (central region and westward), Shikoku, Kyushu, and some nearby islands in Japan; several islands of the Amami Islands (except Yoronjima) and Okinawa Islands (some islands); parts of China Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog is a Fejervarya species widely distributed in western Japan,… Continue reading Kawamura’s Rice Field Frog
Barbour’s Skink
Plestiodon barbouri Japanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour’s SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands The Barbour’s Skink is a medium-sized lizard found in the Okinawa and Amami Islands. Its specific name honors American herpetologist Thomas Barbour. Juveniles are dark brown with five golden longitudinal stripes along the sides of the body, and their tails are… Continue reading Barbour’s Skink
Okinawa Giant Stag Beetle
Serrognathus titanus okinawanus Japanese name: オキナワヒラタクワガタChinese name: 沖繩扁鍬形蟲English name: Okinawa Giant Stag BeetleOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kourijima, Minnajima, Sesokojima, Hamahigajima, Tsukenjima, Tokashikijima, Zamamijima, Akajima, Gerumajima, Kumejima The giant stag beetle Dorcus titanus is widely distributed across Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia, with 12 subspecies recorded in Japan. The Okinawa giant stag beetle is… Continue reading Okinawa Giant Stag Beetle
Amami Woodcock
Scolopax mira Japanese name: アマミヤマシギChinese name: 奄美山鷸English name: Amami WoodcockOrigin: Breeds mainly on Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, and Tokunoshima in the Amami Islands; winter visitor to Okinawajima The Amami Woodcock is a nocturnal member of the woodcock group and a resident bird in the Amami Islands, where it can be seen year-round on Amami Oshima and… Continue reading Amami Woodcock
Okinawa Bredia
Bredia okinawensis Japanese name: コバノミヤマノボタンChinese name: 小葉深山野牡丹English name: Okinawa BrediaOrigin: Endemic to the northern part of Okinawajima This species is endemic to the Yambaru region in northern Okinawajima. It can be distinguished from the commonly seen Melastoma candidum, which has larger flowers with five petals. Okinawa Bredia typically has smaller flowers with four petals and… Continue reading Okinawa Bredia
Blueberry Hermit Crab
Coenobita purpureus Japanese name: ムラサキオカヤドカリChinese name: 紫陸寄居蟹English name: Blueberry Hermit CrabOrigin: Japan, Taiwan The Blueberry Hermit Crab was once considered endemic to Japan but has recently been discovered in Taiwan as well. Juveniles are pale gray and difficult to distinguish from other land hermit crab species. However, adults develop a striking purple coloration, which unfortunately… Continue reading Blueberry Hermit Crab