Ateuchosaurus okinavensis Japanese name: オキナワヒメトカゲChinese name: 沖繩光蜥English name: Okinawa Short-Legged SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands The genus Ateuchosaurus is characterized by very short limbs and currently includes three species: The Okinawa Short-Legged Skink reaches a total length of about 10–13 cm and is often active under forest leaf litter, making it difficult to observe. On Okinawajima, it… Continue reading Okinawa Short-Legged Skink
Category: reptile
Tokara Habu
Protobothrops tokarensis Japanese name: トカラハブChinese name: 寶島原矛頭蝮English name: Tokara HabuOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima) The Tokara Habu is an endemic species restricted to Takarajima and Kodakarajima. Species of the genus Protobothrops do not occur beyond the deep sea trench between Kodakarajima and Akusekijima, a biogeographic boundary known as the “Watase Line.” This snake measures about… Continue reading Tokara Habu
Oshima Blue-tailed Skink
Plestiodon oshimensis Japanese name: オオシマトカゲChinese name: 大島石龍子English name: Oshima Blue-tailed SkinkOrigin: Amami Islands (except Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima) The Oshima Blue-tailed Skink is a medium-sized lizard reaching about 20 cm in total length and 6–11 cm in snout-to-vent length. It closely resembles the Ryukyu Blue-tailed Skink (Plestiodon marginatus), which occurs in… Continue reading Oshima Blue-tailed Skink
Barbour’s Eyelid Skink
Plestiodon barbouri Japanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour’s Eyelid SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands The Barbour’s Eyelid Skink is a medium-sized lizard found in the Okinawa and Amami Islands. Its specific name honors American herpetologist Thomas Barbour. Juveniles are dark brown with five golden longitudinal stripes along the sides of the body, and their… Continue reading Barbour’s Eyelid Skink
Sakishima Habu
Protobothrops elegans Japanese name: サキシマハブChinese name: 先島原矛頭蝮、先島波布、麗紋龜殼花、先島烙鐵頭English name: Sakishima HabuOrigin: Yaeyama Islands (excluding Yonagunijima and Haterumajima). In southern and central Okinawajima, it is a domestic alien species. The Sakishima Habu is a relatively small pit viper, measuring about 60 to 120 cm in length, much smaller than the Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis). Its body is generally… Continue reading Sakishima Habu
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Geoemyda japonica Japanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle is closely related to the turtle species Geoemyda spengleri, which is distributed in China and Vietnam. It was once considered a subspecies of G. spengleri but was recognized as a distinct species in 1992.… Continue reading Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle
Sakishima Green Snake
Cyclophiops herminae Japanese Name: サキシマアオヘビChinese Name: 先島青蛇English Name: Sakishima green snakeOrigin: Yaeyama Islands, Miyako Islands The Sakishima green snake (Cyclophiops herminae) is a slender snake, typically measuring about 50–85 cm in length, with a grayish-green body. It has a relatively small head, and some individuals may display dark longitudinal stripes. This species primarily feeds on… Continue reading Sakishima Green Snake
Sakishima Odd-tooth Snake
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:
Stimpson’s Skink
Plestiodon stimpsonii Plestiodon stimpsoniiJapanese Name: イシガキトカゲChinese Name: 石垣石龍子English Name: Stimpson’s SkinkOrigin: Iriomotejima, Ishigakijima, Taketomijima, Kuroshima, Kohamajima, Haterumashima Stimpson’s Skink is a medium-sized skink found throughout the Yaeyama Islands. It can be observed in a wide range of habitats, from coastal areas to mountain forests. The species name stimpsonii honors the American zoologist William Stimpson.
Kishinoue’s Giant Skink
Plestiodon kishinouyei Japanese Name: キシノウエトカゲChinese Name: 岸上石龍子English Name: Kishinoue Giant SkinkOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Island The Kishinoue’s Giant Skink is the largest skink in Japan, reaching up to 40 cm in total length. It inhabits open secondary forests. The species name kishinouyei honors the Japanese ichthyologist Kamakichi Kishinouye.