Cynops ensicauda Japanese Name: シリケンイモリChinese Name: 劍尾蠑螈English Name: Sword-tail newtOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands The specific name ensicauda comes from Latin, meaning “sword” (ensis) and “tail” (cauda). This species has subspecies distributed across the Okinawa and Amami Islands, but interestingly, it is absent from Tokunoshima, located between the Okinawa Islands and Amami Oshima. Sword-tail newts… Continue reading Sword-tail Newt
Author: YanbaruWanyu
Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Diploderma polygonatum Japanese Name: キノボリトカゲChinese Name: 琉球龍蜥English Name: Ryukyu Tree LizardOrigin: Nominate subspecies distributed across the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands; Sakishima subspecies found in the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands; Yonaguni subspecies found on Yonaguni Island. Previously classified under the genus Japalura, which is commonly associated with true tree lizards from South Asia, this genus… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab
Ryukyum yaeyamense Japanese name: ヤエヤマヤマガニChinese name: 八重山琉球蟹English name: Yaeyama Ryukyu CrabOrigin: Found on Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Kohama Island The genus Ryukyum is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands and currently includes only the Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab. This species is designated as a rare wild species in Okinawa Prefecture, with numbers decreasing due to habitat… Continue reading Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab
Slaty-legged Crake
Rallina eurizonoides sepiaria Japanese name: オオクイナChinese name: 灰腳秧雞（琉球亞種）English name: Slaty-legged CrakeOrigin: This subspecies is found on Okinawa Island, Miyako Island, and the Yaeyama Islands. The Ryukyu subspecies of the Slaty-legged Crake is distributed on several islands in Okinawa, with Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island being the most common places to observe it. Its head and… Continue reading Slaty-legged Crake
Amami Coral Snake
Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicus Japanese Name: ヒャンChinese Name: 奄美華珊瑚蛇、日本華珊瑚蛇奄美亞種、日本華珊瑚蛇指名亞種English Name: Amami Coral SnakeOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Yorojima, Ukeshima The Amami Coral Snake is a small venomous snake from the family Elapidae (cobra family), measuring around 30–60 cm in length. Rare and difficult to observe, it is unique to Amami Oshima and nearby islands such as Kakeromajima,… Continue reading Amami Coral Snake
Boettger’s Coral Snake
Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri Japanese Name: ハイChinese Name: 沖繩華珊瑚蛇、日本華珊瑚蛇沖繩亞種English Name: Boettger’s Coral SnakeOrigin: Tokunoshima, Okinawa Island, Tokashiki Island, Kumejima The Boettger’s Coral Snake, a subspecies of the Japanese Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus japonicus), belongs to the family Elapidae (cobra family). This small, venomous snake measures about 30–60 cm in length and is rare, making it difficult to… Continue reading Boettger’s Coral Snake
Amami Freshwater Crab
Amamiku amamensis Japanese Name: アマミミナミサワガニChinese Name: 奄美阿神蟹English Name: Amami Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima The genus Amamiku, named after the Ryukyuan goddess of creation, Amamiku, includes this species. Initially thought to be a subspecies of the Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab (Candidiopotamon okinawense), it was reclassified as a separate genus in 2004. The… Continue reading Amami Freshwater Crab
Green Grass Lizard
Takydromus smaragdinus Japanese Name: アオカナヘビChinese Name: 翡翠草蜥English Name: Green Grass LizardOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima and Kodakarajima), Amami Oshima, Kikai Island, Tokunoshima, Okinawa Islands, Kumejima This species is distributed across parts of the Central Ryukyu Islands. Males are green or brown, with a brown stripe along the sides and a yellowish belly, while females are yellow-green,… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa sakamotoanus Japanese Name: サカモトサワガニChinese Name: 坂本澤蟹English Name: Sakamoto Freshwater CrabOrigin: Okinawa Island, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Kikai Island The Sakamoto Freshwater Crab is widely distributed in the Ryukyu Islands, including both the northern and central-southern regions of Okinawa Island, as well as on Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Kikai Island. Among the freshwater crabs in the… Continue reading Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Sakishima Grass Lizard
Takydromus dorsalis Japanese Name: サキシマカナヘビChinese Name: 先島草蜥English Name: Sakishima Grass LizardOrigin: Found on Ishigaki, Iriomote, Kuroshima, and Kohama Islands in the Yaeyama Islands The Sakishima Grass Lizard is the largest of Japan’s grass lizard species. Both males and females share a vibrant green coloration. A distinguishing feature is a black line extending from the snout… Continue reading Sakishima Grass Lizard