Species information Scientific name: Heteropoda venatoriaJapanese name: アシダカグモChinese name: 白額高腳蛛English name: Pantropical huntsman spiderOrigin: Tropical regions Ecology and description Pantropical huntsman spider is a large nocturnal spider. Females measure 28–33mm in body length and males 23–28mm, with a leg span of about 10cm. At night it is active both inside and outside houses, quickly seizing… Continue reading Pantropical huntsman spider
Category: Other Animals
Giant golden orb weaver
Species information Scientific name: Nephila pilipesJapanese name: オオジョロウグモChinese name: 人面蜘蛛、斑絡新婦English name: Giant golden orb weaverOrigin: Japan (Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima), Taiwan, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Papua New Guinea, Australia Ecology and description The giant golden orb weaver is the largest spider in Japan. Females are 3.5–5 cm long, while males are only… Continue reading Giant golden orb weaver
Riukiaria pugionifera
Species information Scientific name: Riukiaria pugioniferaJapanese name: オキナワアマビコヤスデChinese name: 沖繩琉球帶馬陸English name: Riukiaria pugioniferaOrigin: Okinawajima Ecology and description Riukiaria pugionifera is endemic to Okinawajima and belongs to the genus Riukiaria. It is 6–9 cm long and is the largest millipede on Okinawajima. Its body is mostly yellow to orange with black transverse bands, and the color… Continue reading Riukiaria pugionifera
Riukiaria holstii
Species information Scientific name: Riukiaria holstiiJapanese name: ホルストアマビコヤスデChinese name: 霍氏琉球帶馬陸English name: Riukiaria holstiiOrigin: Okinawajima Ecology and description Riukiaria holstii is a large millipede of the family Xystodesmidae, about 5 cm long. On Okinawajima, the northern and southern populations differ in color and body size. It is nocturnal and active in the forests of Yambaru after… Continue reading Riukiaria holstii
Japanese mitten crab
Species information Scientific name: Eriocheir japonicaJapanese name: モクズガニChinese name: 日本絨螯蟹English name: Japanese mitten crabOrigin: Japan (Hokkaido to the Ryukyu Islands), Russia, Korea, Taiwan Ecology and description The Japanese mitten crab is a relatively large river crab, with a carapace width of up to 7–8 cm. Its most distinctive feature is the dense, soft, long hair… Continue reading Japanese mitten crab
Amur goby
Species information Scientific name: Rhinogobius brunneusJapanese name: クロヨシノボリChinese name: 褐吻鰕虎English name: Amur gobyOrigin: Japan (Honshu to the Ryukyu Islands), Korea, Taiwan, China Ecology and description This species lives in the middle and upper reaches of streams. The total length is about 6-10cm, and it usually rests on stones on the bottom. It may be a… Continue reading Amur goby
Cavipes Hermit Crab
Species information Scientific name: Coenobita cavipesJapanese name: オカヤドカリChinese name: 凹足陸寄居蟹English name: Cavipes hermit crabOrigin: Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, etc. Ecology and description Cavipes hermit crab is the most common land hermit crab in the mountains and inland areas of Okinawa. Since this species has the highest degree of terrestrial adaptation, the land hermit crabs seen… Continue reading Cavipes Hermit Crab
Iheya Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa iheyaJapanese name: イヘヤオオサワガニChinese name: 伊平屋澤蟹English name: Iheya Geothelphusa freshwater crabOrigin: Iheyajima Ecology and description This species is endemic to Iheyajima and is closely related to those on Okinawajima (Geothelphusa grandiovata, Okinawa Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab) and Kumejima (Geothelphusa kumejima, Kumejima Geothelphusa freshwater crab). The anterior part of the carapace is notably elevated,… Continue reading Iheya Geothelphusa Freshwater Crab
Red Flower Crab
Species information Scientific name: Orisarma intermediumJapanese name: ベンケイガニChinese name: 中型東方相手蟹English name: Red flower crabOrigin: Korea; Pacific side south of Chiba Prefecture and Japan Sea side south of Akita Prefecture in Japan; northern, eastern, and Hengchun Peninsula in Taiwan Ecology and description On summer nights in Yambaru, red flower crabs are often seen on the roads.… Continue reading Red Flower Crab
Yambaru Giant Slug
Species information Scientific name: Meghimatium sp.Japanese name: ヤンバルヤマナメクジChinese name: Yambaru山蛞蝓English name: Yambaru giant slugOrigin: Endemic (sub)species in the Yambaru area, Okinawajima? Ecology and description Yambaru giant slug is a common slug found in the forests of northern Okinawajima. Its body length can reach up to about 15 cm. It is typically light brown and commonly… Continue reading Yambaru Giant Slug