Species information Scientific name: Heteropoda venatoriaJapanese name: アシダカグモChinese name: 白額高腳蛛English name: Pantropical huntsman spiderOrigin: Tropical regions Ecology and description Pantropical huntsman spider is a large nocturnal spider. Females measure 28–33mm in body length and males 23–28mm, with a leg span of about 10cm. At night it is active both inside and outside houses, quickly seizing… Continue reading Pantropical huntsman spider
Author: YambaruWanyu
Giant golden orb weaver
Species information Scientific name: Nephila pilipesJapanese name: オオジョロウグモChinese name: 人面蜘蛛、斑絡新婦English name: Giant golden orb weaverOrigin: Japan (Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima), Taiwan, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia Ecology and description The giant golden orb weaver is the largest spider in Japan. Females are 3.5–5 cm long, while males are only… Continue reading Giant golden orb weaver
Riukiaria pugionifera
Species information Scientific name: Riukiaria pugioniferaJapanese name: オキナワアマビコヤスデChinese name: 沖繩琉球帶馬陸English name: Riukiaria pugioniferaOrigin: Okinawajima Ecology and description Riukiaria pugionifera is endemic to Okinawajima and belongs to the genus Riukiaria. It is 6–9 cm long and is the largest millipede on Okinawajima. Its body is mostly yellow to orange with black transverse bands, and the color… Continue reading Riukiaria pugionifera
Riukiaria holstii
Species information Scientific name: Riukiaria holstiiJapanese name: ホルストアマビコヤスデChinese name: 霍氏琉球帶馬陸English name: Riukiaria holstiiOrigin: Okinawajima Ecology and description Riukiaria holstii is a large millipede of the family Xystodesmidae, about 5 cm long. On Okinawajima, the northern and southern populations differ in color and body size. It is nocturnal and active in the forests of Yambaru after… Continue reading Riukiaria holstii
Japanese mitten crab
Species information Scientific name: Eriocheir japonicaJapanese name: モクズガニChinese name: 日本絨螯蟹English name: Japanese mitten crabOrigin: Japan (Hokkaido to the Ryukyu Islands), Russia, Korea, Taiwan Ecology and description The Japanese mitten crab is a relatively large river crab, with a carapace width of up to 7–8 cm. Its most distinctive feature is the dense, soft, long hair… Continue reading Japanese mitten crab
Amur goby
Species information Scientific name: Rhinogobius brunneusJapanese name: クロヨシノボリChinese name: 褐吻鰕虎English name: Amur gobyOrigin: Japan (Honshu to the Ryukyu Islands), Korea, Taiwan, China Ecology and description This species lives in the middle and upper reaches of streams. The total length is about 6-10cm, and it usually rests on stones on the bottom. It may be a… Continue reading Amur goby
Black paradise flycatcher
Species information Scientific name: Terpsiphone atrocaudataJapanese name: サンコウチョウChinese name: 紫綬帶English name: Black paradise flycatcherOrigin: Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands), Korean Peninsula, Lanyu, Batan Island in the Philippines Ecology and description The black paradise flycatcher is a summer visitor in Okinawa. From about April to October, it stays and breeds in Japan, including Okinawa, and then… Continue reading Black paradise flycatcher
Varied tit (Amami subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Sittiparus varius amamiiJapanese name: アマミヤマガラChinese name: 雜色山雀（奄美亞種）English name: Varied tit (Amami subspecies)Origin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Gajajima in the Tokara Islands Ecology and description The Amami subspecies of the varied tit (Sittiparus varius amamii) is found on Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, and Gajajima in the Tokara Islands. Other subspecies occur elsewhere… Continue reading Varied tit (Amami subspecies)
Asian tit (Okinawa subspecies)
Species information Scientific name: Parus cinereus okinawaeJapanese name: オキナワシジュウカラChinese name: 白頰山雀（沖繩亞種）、遠東山雀（沖繩亞種）English name: Asian tit (Okinawa subspecies)Origin: Okinawajima, Yagajijima, Zamamijima Ecology and description The Okinawa subspecies of the Asian tit (Parus cinereus okinawae) is found on Okinawajima, Yagajijima and Zamamijima. Other subspecies occur elsewhere in Japan: the nominate subspecies P. c. minor on mainland Japan, P.… Continue reading Asian tit (Okinawa subspecies)
Ryukyu Wild Boar
Species information Scientific name: Sus scrofa riukiuanusJapanese name: リュウキュウイノシシ、ヤマシシ（國頭方言）Chinese name: 琉球野豬English name: Ryukyu wild boarOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawajima, Ishigaki, and Iriomote. Ecology and description Ryukyu wild boar is a subspecies of the wild boar (Sus scrofa) endemic to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. In addition to some islands, Ryukyu wild boar is an… Continue reading Ryukyu Wild Boar