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
Author: YambaruWanyu
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
Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Odorrana supranarina Japanese 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: Endemic to Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands The Greater Tip-nosed Frog (Odorrana supranarina) is a species endemic to Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands. Its species name, supranarina, refers to its larger size compared to the Okinawan Tip-nosed Frog (Odorrana narina). Males reach a body length of… Continue reading Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Crested Serpent Eagle
Spilornis cheela perplexus Japanese Name: カンムリワシChinese Name: 八重山大冠鷲English Name: Yaeyama crested serpent eagleOrigin: This subspecies found only on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands The Yaeyama Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela perplexus) is a subspecies of the crested serpent eagle, with a limited distribution on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands. It is a rare species, with a combined… Continue reading Crested Serpent Eagle
Eiffinger’s Tree Frog
Kurixalus eiffingeri Japanese 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 Island, Iriomote Island, Taiwan Eiffinger’s Tree Frog belongs to the genus Kurixalus and is found in Japan on Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, exhibiting variable coloration. This species lays its eggs in tree holes, with both male and female frogs caring for the… Continue reading Eiffinger’s Tree Frog