Odorrana narina Japanese name: ハナサキガエルChinese name: 琉球臭蛙、沖繩臭蛙、沖繩鼻先蛙、沖繩尖吻蛙、琉球尖鼻蛙English name: Okinawa tip-nosed frogOrigin: Northern Okinawajima (endemic) This species is commonly found in the forested areas of Okinawa and resembles the Swinhoe’s frog (Odorrana swinhoana) found in Taiwan. However, it is slightly larger, has a higher-pitched call, and shows a wide range of coloration from green to brown.… Continue reading Okinawa tip-nosed frog
Author: YambaruWanyu
Kumejima Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa kumejima Japanese name: クメジマオオサワガニChinese name: 久米澤蟹English name: Kumejima Geothelphusa Freshwater CrabOrigin: Kumejima Geothelphusa kumejima is a freshwater crab endemic to Kumejima. Its body color often shows a purplish tint.
Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa aramotoi Japanese name: アラモトサワガニChinese name: 新本澤蟹English name: Aramoto Freshwater CrabOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima Geothelphusa aramotoi is a freshwater crab with a carapace width of about 3 cm and has the most limited distribution among the species found on Okinawajima. It is restricted to specific mountain stream basins. Unlike other freshwater crabs that may leave the… Continue reading Aramoto Freshwater Crab
Sakishima Habu
Protobothrops elegans Japanese name: サキシマハブChinese name: 先島原矛頭蝮、先島波布、麗紋龜殼花、先島烙鐵頭English name: Sakishima HabuOrigin: Yaeyama Islands (excluding Yonagunijima and Haterumajima). In southern and central Okinawajima, it is a domestic alien species. The Sakishima Habu is a relatively small pit viper, measuring about 60 to 120 cm in length, much smaller than the Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis). Its body is generally… Continue reading Sakishima Habu
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Geoemyda japonica Japanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle is closely related to the turtle species Geoemyda spengleri, which is distributed in China and Vietnam. It was once considered a subspecies of G. spengleri but was recognized as a distinct species in 1992.… Continue reading Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Okinawa Tree Frog
Zhangixalus viridis Japanese name: オキナワアオガエルChinese name: 沖繩樹蛙English name: Okinawa Tree FrogOrigin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Kumejima From November to May, the breeding calls of the Okinawa Tree Frog can often be heard in the Yambaru areas. Males have yellow bellies, while females have white bellies and are significantly larger in size, making it relatively easy to distinguish… Continue reading Okinawa Tree Frog
Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Odorrana ishikawae Japanese name: オキナワイシカワガエルChinese name: 沖繩石川蛙English name: Okinawa Ishikawa FrogOrigin: Endemic to northern Okinawajima Originally, the name “Ishikawa Frog” referred to populations found on both Amami Oshima and Okinawajima. After the Amami population was classified as a separate species (Odorrana splendida), the Japanese name for the Okinawan population was changed to include the locality,… Continue reading Okinawa Ishikawa Frog
Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Candidiopotamon kumejimense Japanese name: クメジマミナミサワガニChinese name: 久米明溪蟹English name: Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater CrabOrigin: Kumejima (endemic) This species is endemic to Kumejima. Compared to Geothelphusa kumejima, it has coarse wrinkles and protuberances on the surface of its carapace, making it easy to distinguish by appearance. The genus Candidiopotamon is distributed only in Taiwan and some of the… Continue reading Kumejima Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab
Amami ishikawa frog
Odorrana splendida Japanese name: アマミイシカワガエルChinese name: 奄美石川蛙、大島臭蛙English name: Amami Ishikawa FrogOrigin: Endemic to Amami Oshima Odorrana splendida was once considered the same species as the Okinawan Ishikawa frog (Odorrana ishikawae), but it is now classified as a separate species. Compared to O. ishikawae, the Amami Ishikawa Frog has a smaller head, a more yellowish body… Continue reading Amami ishikawa frog
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticola Japanese name: ヤマシギChinese name: 山鷸English name: Eurasian WoodcockOrigin: Widely distributed across the Eurasian continent. Breeds in temperate regions in summer and migrates south to overwinter. In the Ryukyu Islands, it is a winter visitor. In the Ryukyu Islands, Eurasian Woodcocks that migrate from areas such as Hokkaido can be observed from late September… Continue reading Eurasian Woodcock