Hebius pryeri Japanese name: ガラスヒバァChinese name: 沖繩腹鍊蛇English name: Pryer’s Keelback SnakeOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Pryer’s Keelback Snake primarily feeds on frogs. It is often found near streams, irrigation channels, and rice paddies, and is commonly seen on roads during or after rain, where it scavenges road-killed frogs. Unfortunately, this behavior makes it vulnerable to… Continue reading Pryer’s Keelback Snake
Category: reptile
Ryukyu Green Snake
Cyclophiops semicarinatus Japanese name: リュウキュウアオヘビChinese name: 琉球青蛇English name: Ryukyu Green SnakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, Takarajima and Kodakarajima (Tokara Islands) The Ryukyu Green Snake grows to about 70–80 cm in length. Compared to the bright green coloration of the green snake found in Mainland China and Taiwan (Cyclophiops major), this species usually appears deep green… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Snake
Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box Turtle
Cuora flavomarginata evelynae Japanese Name: ヤエヤマセマルハコガメChinese Name: 八重山食蛇龜English Name: Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box TurtleOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote The Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box Turtle is a subspecies of the Yellow-margined Box Turtle, native to the Yaeyama Islands. Its population is declining due to habitat destruction and illegal collection. Since the 1970s, this species has also been found on Okinawa… Continue reading Yaeyama Yellow-margined Box Turtle
Habu
Protobothrops flavoviridis Japanese Name: ハブChinese Name: 波布、黄綠龜殼花English Name: HabuOrigin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands The Habu is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most beautiful and fascinating snakes, yet it is also one of the most venomous and dangerous. It is found on certain islands of the Okinawa and Amami Islands, with its… Continue reading Habu
Okinawa Pitviper
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
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
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.
Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Diploderma polygonatum Japanese Name: キノボリトカゲChinese Name: 琉球龍蜥English Name: Ryukyu Tree LizardOrigin: Nominate subspecies distributed across the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands; Sakishima subspecies found in the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands; Yonaguni subspecies found on Yonaguni Island. Previously classified under the genus Japalura, which is commonly associated with true tree lizards from South Asia, this genus… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Amami Coral Snake
Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicus Japanese Name: ヒャンChinese Name: 奄美華珊瑚蛇、日本華珊瑚蛇奄美亞種、日本華珊瑚蛇指名亞種English Name: Amami Coral SnakeOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Yorojima, Ukeshima The Amami Coral Snake is a small venomous snake from the family Elapidae (cobra family), measuring around 30–60 cm in length. Rare and difficult to observe, it is unique to Amami Oshima and nearby islands such as Kakeromajima,… Continue reading Amami Coral Snake
Boettger’s Coral Snake
Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri Japanese Name: ハイChinese Name: 沖繩華珊瑚蛇、日本華珊瑚蛇沖繩亞種English Name: Boettger’s Coral SnakeOrigin: Tokunoshima, Okinawa Island, Tokashiki Island, Kumejima The Boettger’s Coral Snake, a subspecies of the Japanese Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus japonicus), belongs to the family Elapidae (cobra family). This small, venomous snake measures about 30–60 cm in length and is rare, making it difficult to… Continue reading Boettger’s Coral Snake