Species information Scientific name: Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicusJapanese 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, Ukejima Ecology and description The Amami coral snake is a small venomous snake of the family Elapidae (cobra family), with a body length of approximately 30-60 cm. It is rare and difficult to observe. Although there… Continue reading Amami Coral Snake
Author: YambaruWanyu
Boettger’s Coral Snake
Species information Scientific name: Sinomicrurus boettgeriJapanese name: ハイChinese name: 沖繩華珊瑚蛇English name: Boettger’s coral snakeOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokashikijima, Iheyajima, Kumejima Ecology and description Boettger’s coral snake is a small venomous snake in the family Elapidae, about 40–50 cm long. It is rare and hard to observe. It lives on the floor of damp natural and secondary forests… Continue reading Boettger’s Coral Snake
Amami Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Amamiku amamensisJapanese 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 Ecology and description Amami Freshwater Crab belongs to the genus Amamiku, named after the creation goddess Amamiku from Ryukyu culture. This species was initially considered an Amami subspecies of Okinawa Candidiopotamon freshwater crab (Candidiopotamon okinawense),… Continue reading Amami Freshwater Crab
Green Grass Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Takydromus smaragdinusJapanese name: アオカナヘビChinese name: 翡翠草蜥English name: Green grass lizardOrigin: Takarajima and Kotakarajima in the Tokara Islands, Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, the Okinawa Islands, Kumejima Ecology and description The green grass lizard is endemic to Japan and lives on some islands of the central Ryukyus. The total length is about… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa sakamotoanusJapanese name: サカモトサワガニChinese name: 坂本澤蟹English name: Sakamoto Freshwater CrabOrigin: Okinawajima, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Kikaijima Ecology and description Sakamoto Freshwater Crab is distributed not only in the northern part of Okinawajima but also in its central and southern regions. It is also found on Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Kikaijima, making it… Continue reading Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Sakishima Grass Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Takydromus dorsalisJapanese name: サキシマカナヘビChinese name: 先島草蜥English name: Sakishima grass lizardOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hateruma, Kohama of the Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description This is the largest species of grass lizard in Japan. Males and females are of the same color, both being green. It is characterized by a black line from the… Continue reading Sakishima Grass Lizard
Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana supranarinaJapanese name: オオハナサキガエルChinese name: 大臭蛙、八重山臭蛙English name: Greater tip-nosed frogOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description Greater tip-nosed frog is an endemic species found only on Ishigaki and Iriomote. Its species name, supranarina, means larger than the Okinawa tip-nosed frog (O. narina). The body length of males is about 6-7 cm, while… Continue reading Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Yaeyama Crested Serpent Eagle
Species information Scientific name: Spilornis cheela perplexusJapanese name: カンムリワシChinese name: 八重山大冠鷲、琉球蛇鵰English name: Yaeyama crested serpent eagleOrigin: This subspecies is only found on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands Ecology and description Yaeyama crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela perplexus) is a subspecies of the crested serpent eagle, found only on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands. It is rare, with… Continue reading Yaeyama Crested Serpent Eagle
Eiffinger’s Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Kurixalus eiffingeriJapanese name: アイフィンガーガエルChinese name: 艾氏樹蛙、琉球原指樹蛙English name: Eiffinger’s tree frogOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Taiwan Ecology and description Eiffinger’s tree frog belongs to the Kurixalus genus and is found in Japan on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands. It has variable body coloration. This species lays eggs in tree holes, and both males and females… Continue reading Eiffinger’s Tree Frog
Indian peafowl
Species information Scientific name: Pavo cristatusJapanese name: インドクジャクChinese name: 孔雀、印度孔雀English name: Indian peafowlOrigin: South Asia Ecology and description The peafowl in Okinawa Prefecture are an invasive species that became feral after escaping from captivity, where they were kept for ornamental purposes. Established populations currently exist on Miyakojima, Irabujima, Ishigaki, Kohamajima, Aragusuku, Yonaguni and Kuroshima, but… Continue reading Indian peafowl