Odorrana amamiensis Japanese Name: アマミハナサキガエルChinese Name: 奄美臭蛙、奄美鼻先蛙、奄美尖鼻蛙English Name: Amami Tip-nosed FrogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima This species closely resembles the Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog (Odorrana ranina), found in northern Okinawa, but is larger in size. Adult frogs can grow up to 10 cm, and they exhibit color variations ranging from brown to green. They are highly alert… Continue reading Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Author: YambaruWanyu
Ryukyu Flying Fox
Pteropus dasymallus Japanese Name: クビワオオコウモリChinese Name: 琉球狐蝠English Name: Ryukyu Flying Fox / Ryukyu Fruit BatOrigin: Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan The Ryukyu Flying Fox is divided into several subspecies across the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan. The Okinawa Flying Fox is relatively common on Okinawa Island. These bats enjoy a variety of plant-based foods, including new leaves,… Continue reading Ryukyu Flying Fox
Coconut Crab
Birgus latro Japanese Name: ヤシガニChinese Name: 椰子蟹English Name: Coconut CrabOrigin: Tropical islands along the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific coasts (though extinct on some islands). In Japan, they are found from the Amami Islands to the westernmost Yonaguni Island. Coconut crabs belong to the land hermit crab family. Juvenile coconut crabs carry shells like hermit… Continue reading Coconut Crab
Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
Mauremys mutica kami Japanese Name: ヤエヤマイシガメChinese Name: 八重山柴棺龜、黃喉擬水龜English Name: Yaeyama Yellow Pond TurtleOrigin: Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Yonaguni Island The Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica kami) is a subspecies of the Yellow Pond Turtle, found on Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Yonaguni Island. In 2018, the Yellow Pond Turtle was assessed as a… Continue reading Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
Ryukyu Aburazemi
Graptopsaltria bimaculata Japanese Name: リュウキュウアブラゼミChinese Name: 琉球油蟬English Name: Graptopsaltria bimaculataOrigin: Okinawa Island and surrounding islands, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Tokunoshima Reference：“Okinawa’s Cicadas” by Shinsei Publishing In Japan, a different species of Aburazemi (G. nigrofuscata) is found north of Yakushima, while Ryukyu Aburazemi is endemic to the central Ryukyu Islands, including the Amami and Okinawa Islands. The… Continue reading Ryukyu Aburazemi
Polynesian Rat
Rattus exulans Japanese Name: ナンヨウネズミChinese Name: 緬甸小鼠、波里尼西亞鼠English Name: Polynesian RatOrigin: Southeast Asia Though native to Southeast Asia, the Polynesian Rat has invaded numerous areas, including Japan’s Miyako Island, though the exact invasion route is unclear. This species is skilled at climbing trees and is frequently seen in the forests of Miyako Island. Reference：Japan invasive species… Continue reading Polynesian Rat
Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica Japanese Name: キンバトChinese Name: 翠翼鳩English Name: Emerald DoveOrigin: Widely distributed in Asia, only found in Japan’s Sakishima Islands (Miyako Island to Yonaguni Island) In Japan, this species is a resident bird from Miyako Island southward to Yonaguni Island. Miyako Island is the easiest place in Japan to observe this species. The male has white… Continue reading Emerald Dove
Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Zosterops japonicus loochooensis Japanese Name: リュウキュウメジロChinese Name: 琉球綠繡眼、日菲繡眼琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Warbling White-eyeOrigin: Islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, south of Amami Oshima This subspecies is one of the subspecies of the Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus). Compared to the nominate subspecies found in Japan, which has a brownish color under the wings, the Ryukyu subspecies has a whiter chest.… Continue reading Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Ryukyu Brown Hawk-Owl
Ninox japonica totogo Japanese Name: リュウキュウアオバズクChinese Name: 琉球褐鷹鴞、日本褐鷹鴞琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Brown Hawk-OwlOrigin: Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands The Brown Hawk-Owl found in Japan was previously classified under the scientific name Ninox scutulata. However, in 2002, this species was separated from Ninox scutulata and recognized as a distinct species. It is further divided into the following three subspecies:… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Hawk-Owl
Ryukyu Green Pigeon
Treron permagnus Japanese Name: リュウキュウアオバトChinese Name: 琉球綠鳩English Name: Ryukyu Green PigeonOrigin: Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Green Pigeon was once considered a different subspecies of the Taiwan Red-headed Green Pigeon (Treron formosae). However, recent molecular studies support its classification as a distinct species. Unlike the Red-headed Green Pigeon, the Ryukyu Green Pigeon does not have a… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Pigeon