Ovophis okinavensis Japanese Name: ヒメハブChinese Name: 姬波布, 沖繩烙鐵頭English Name: Okinawa Pitviper, HimehabuOrigin: Okinawa Islands (Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima), Amami Islands (Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima, Yorojima, Tokunoshima) The Okinawa pitviper is a venomous snake that grows up to 80 cm in length. Its Japanese name, “Himehabu,” includes the word “hime,” meaning “small,” as it is… Continue reading Okinawa Pitviper
Author: YambaruWanyu
Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Lycondon semicarinatum Japanese Name: アカマタChinese Name: 琉球紅斑蛇English Name: Ryukyu Odd-tooth SnakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands The Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake is a non-venomous species that can grow up to 170 cm in length. However, juveniles are particularly aggressive. It is one of the most commonly encountered snakes in Yambaru and is sometimes seen on roads feeding… Continue reading Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Rusty-leaf Mucuna
Mucuna macrocarpa Japanese Name: イルカンダChinese Name: 血藤English Name: Rusty-leaf MucunaOrigin: Southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Amami Islands to Okinawa Islands, India The Japanese name Irukanda comes from the Okinawan dialect, where Iru means “color” and Kanda refers to “vine.” This species is common in the forests of Yambaru. From March to May, its flowers bloom in… Continue reading Rusty-leaf Mucuna
Okinawa Spiny Newt
Echinotriton andersoni Japanese Name: オキナワイボイモリOkinawaChinese Name: 沖繩棘螈English Name: Okinawa Spiny NewtOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokashikijima This species is designated as a natural monument in Okinawa Prefecture and is one of the most primitive species in the family Salamandridae. For this reason, it is often referred to as a “living fossil.” The name comes from the protruding ribs… Continue reading Okinawa Spiny Newt
Okinawa Rail
Hypotaenidia okinawae Japanese Name: ヤンバルクイナChinese Names: 沖繩秧雞, 山原秧雞, 山原水雞English Name: Okinawa RailOrigin: Northern Okinawa Island The Okinawa Rail is approximately 35cm long and weighs around 450g. Its head to tail is dark olive green, with a black face and a white line running from behind the eyes to the neck. Its legs and beak are… Continue reading Okinawa Rail
Black Wood Pigeon
Columba janthina Japanese Name: カラスバトChinese Name: 黑林鴿English Name: Black Wood PigeonOrigin: China (Shandong Province), South Korea, Japan This species has three subspecies: Observing the Black Wood Pigeon (C. j. janthina) in Yambaru is extremely difficult. Their population has been declining in recent years, and even their calls are rarely heard. I am lucky if I… Continue reading Black Wood Pigeon
Yaeyama Music Frog
Nidirana okinavana Japanese Name: ヤエヤマハラブチガエルChinese Name: 琉球琴蛙English Name: Yaeyama Music FrogOrigin: Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima The call of the Yaeyama Music Frog sounds like a harp being played, making it truly unique. It primarily breeds in summer by digging burrows in wetland mud. When observing this species, it is crucial not to step into its breeding sites.… Continue reading Yaeyama Music Frog
Miyako Toad
Bufo gargarizans miyakonis Japanese Name: ミヤコヒキガエルChinese Name: 宮古蟾蜍English Name: Miyako ToadOrigin: Miyako islands (Miyakojima, Irabujima, Ikemashima, Shimojishima, Kurimajima) The Miyako Toad is a subspecies of the Asiatic toad (Bufo gargarizans), found in China and Russia. It is the only native toad species in the Ryukyu Islands. The breeding season lasts from September to March. The… Continue reading Miyako Toad
Miyako Keelback
Hebius concelarus Japanese Name: ミヤコヒバァChinese Name: 宮古腹鍊蛇English Name: Miyako KeelbackOrigin: Miyakojima, Irabujima The Miyako Keelback is an endemic species found in Miyakojima and Irabujima. Its population is extremely small, and it has been designated as a “Nationally Rare Wildlife Species” in Japan.
Miyako Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa miyakoensis Japanese Name: ミヤコサワガニChinese Name: 宮古澤蟹English Name: Miyako Freshwater CrabOrigin: Miyakojima (Miyako island) The Miyako Freshwater Crab is an endemic freshwater crab species of Miyakojima, with a carapace width of approximately 3 cm. Currently, it is known to inhabit only four groundwater spring sites, making its population extremely small. Furthermore, the species is facing… Continue reading Miyako Freshwater Crab