Species information Scientific name: Herpestes auropunctatusJapanese name: マングース、フイリマングースChinese name: 紅頰獴English name: Small Indian mongooseOrigin: Northern South Asia Ecology and description In 1910, Okinawa introduced the non-native Small Indian mongoose to control Habu snakes and rats. The Small Indian mongoose spread rapidly and expanded its territory, posing a significant threat to Okinawa rail as it reached… Continue reading Small Indian Mongoose
Category: Invasive Species
Brown Spotted Pitviper
Species information Scientific name: Protobothrops mucrosquamatusJapanese name: タイワンハブChinese name: 龜殼花English name: Brown spotted pitviperOrigin: India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Taiwan, and mainland China Ecology and description The Brown spotted pitviper on Okinawajima was introduced from Taiwan and is currently mainly distributed in the Motobu Peninsula area, northern Yomitan Village, and Onna Village. The commercial benefits brought by… Continue reading Brown Spotted Pitviper
White-lipped Tree Frog
Species information Scientific name: Polypedates leucomystaxJapanese name: シロアゴガエルChinese name: 白頷樹蛙English name: White-lipped Tree FrogOrigin: Widely distributed from northeastern India to the Philippines, throughout Southeast Asia Ecology and description This species has been confirmed on most islands of the Okinawa Islands, as well as on Kita-Daito, the Sakishima Islands (including Miyakojima and Ishigaki), and Yoronjima in… Continue reading White-lipped Tree Frog
Indian peafowl
Species information Scientific name: Pavo cristatusJapanese name: インドクジャクChinese name: 孔雀、印度孔雀English name: Indian peafowlOrigin: South Asia Ecology and description The peafowl in Okinawa Prefecture are an invasive species that became feral after escaping from captivity, where they were kept for ornamental purposes. Established populations currently exist on Miyakojima, Irabujima, Ishigaki, Kohamajima, Aragusuku, Yonaguni and Kuroshima, but… Continue reading Indian peafowl
Polynesian Rat
Species information Scientific name: Rattus exulansJapanese 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 Ecology and description Although Polynesian rat originally comes from Southeast Asia, it has invaded many places, including Miyakojima in Japan. The routes of invasion are unclear. Polynesian rat is good at climbing trees and can often be seen in the… Continue reading Polynesian Rat
Cane Toad
Species information Scientific name: Rhinella marinaJapanese name: オオヒキガエルChinese name: 海蟾蜍、蔗蟾English name: Cane toad, Marine toadOrigin: Southern Texas, Central America, northern South America Ecology and description The cane toad, also called the marine toad, is native to the Americas and measures 9–15cm in length. It is carnivorous, preying on insects, land snails, millipedes, small mammals and… Continue reading Cane Toad