Lycodon rufozonatus walli Japanese name: サキシママダラChinese name: 先島紅斑蛇、赤鏈蛇沃氏亞種English name: Sakishima Odd-tooth SnakeOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands The species Lycodon rufozonatus is divided into two subspecies:
Author: YambaruWanyu
Himeyuri Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa tenuimanus Japanese name: ヒメユリサワガニChinese name: 細掌澤蟹English name: Himeyuri Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Okinawajima The Himeyuri Freshwater Crab is a relatively small species with a carapace width of about 3 cm. It is characterized by extremely slender walking legs and a body color that is usually tinged with purplish-red. It inhabits limestone areas on Okinawajima,… Continue reading Himeyuri Freshwater Crab
Owston’s Green Tree Frog
Rhacophorus owstoni Japanese Name: ヤエヤマアオガエルChinese Name: 八重山樹蛙English Name: Owston’s Green Tree FrogOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima The breeding season of Rhacophorus owstoni runs from December to April. This species was formerly considered a subspecies of Rhacophorus viridis (Okinawan Green Tree Frog), but is now recognized as a distinct species. It is very abundant on Ishigakijima, and roadkill… Continue reading Owston’s Green Tree Frog
Giant Japanese Funnel-web Spider
Macrothele gigas Japanese Name: オオクロケブカジョウゴグモChinese Name: 巨型長尾蛛English Name: Giant Japanese Funnel-web SpiderOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima The genus Macrothele is commonly called “jougogumo” (ジョウゴグモ) in Japanese, a name likely derived from the shape of its web, which resembles a funnel (漏斗, jougo). The following Macrothele species are found in Japan: Although M. gigas and M. yaginumai are… Continue reading Giant Japanese Funnel-web Spider
Ryukyu Brown Frog
Rana ulma Japanese Name: リュウキュウアカガエルChinese Name: 琉球赤蛙、沖繩林蛙English Name: Ryukyu Brown FrogOrigin: Okinawajima, Kumejima Brown frog populations from Tokunoshima, Amamioshima, Okinawajima, and Kumejima were once all classified as same species. However, recent studies revealed that although frogs from Okinawajima and Kumejima resemble those from Tokunoshima and Amamioshima in appearance, their vocalizations are noticeably different. As a… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Frog
White-lipped Tree Frog
Polypedates leucomystax Japanese Name: シロアゴガエルChinese Name: 白頷樹蛙English Name: White-lipped Tree FrogOrigin: Widely distributed in Southeast Asia, from northeastern India to the Philippines Reference: National Institute for Environmental Studies, Invasive Species Databasehttps://www.nies.go.jp/biodiversity/invasive/DB/detail/40030.html This species has been confirmed on many islands of the Okinawa Islands, as well as Kitadaitojima, the Sakishima Islands (including Miyakojima and Ishigakijima), and… Continue reading White-lipped Tree Frog
Amami Rabbit
Pentalagus furnessi Japanese Name: アマミノクロウサギChinese Name: 奄美黑兔、琉球兔、奄美短耳兔English Name: Amami RabbitOrigin: Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima The Amami Rabbit is the only species of the genus Pentalagus. It has short ears and strong claws adapted for digging. This species is endemic to Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima. It is nocturnal and feeds on a wide variety of plants. The… Continue reading Amami Rabbit
Brown Land Crab
Cardisoma carnifex Japanese Name: ミナミオカガニChinese Name: 凶狠圓軸蟹English Name: Brown Land CrabOrigin: Coastal regions of Southeast Asia bordering the Pacific and Indian Oceans; in Japan, found on islands south of Yoronjima in the Ryukyu Islands. The Brown Land Crab is one of the terrestrial crabs found in the Ryukyu Islands. In recent years, its population has… Continue reading Brown Land Crab
Otton Frog
Babina subaspera Japanese Name: オットンガエルChinese Name: 隆背拇棘蛙、奧頓蛙English Name: Otton FrogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima The Japanese name “Otton” comes from the Amami dialect, meaning “gigantic.” Male Otton Frogs can grow up to 12 cm in length, making them the largest native frog species in Japan. This species is closely related to Babina holsti, the Holst’s Frog,… Continue reading Otton Frog
Amami Whipscorpion
Typopeltis stimpsonii Japanese Name: アマミサソリモドキChinese Name: 奄美鞭蠍English Name: Amami WhipscorpionOrigin: Izena Island, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Tokara Islands, Osumi Islands (Kuchinoerabujima, Iojima, Takeshima), Satsuma Peninsula, Kamikoshikijima This species is endemic to Japan. However, due to human introduction, it has established populations outside its natural range, such as in Ushibuka (Amakusa City) and Hachijojima, where it is… Continue reading Amami Whipscorpion