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
Category: reptile
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
Green Grass Lizard
Takydromus smaragdinus Japanese Name: アオカナヘビChinese Name: 翡翠草蜥English Name: Green Grass LizardOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima and Kodakarajima), Amami Oshima, Kikai Island, Tokunoshima, Okinawa Islands, Kumejima This species is distributed across parts of the Central Ryukyu Islands. Males are green or brown, with a brown stripe along the sides and a yellowish belly, while females are yellow-green,… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
Sakishima Grass Lizard
Takydromus dorsalis Japanese Name: サキシマカナヘビChinese Name: 先島草蜥English Name: Sakishima Grass LizardOrigin: Found on Ishigaki, Iriomote, Kuroshima, and Kohama Islands in the Yaeyama Islands The Sakishima Grass Lizard is the largest of Japan’s grass lizard species. Both males and females share a vibrant green coloration. A distinguishing feature is a black line extending from the snout… Continue reading Sakishima Grass Lizard
Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
Mauremys mutica kami Japanese Name: ヤエヤマイシガメChinese Name: 八重山柴棺龜、黃喉擬水龜English Name: Yaeyama Yellow Pond TurtleOrigin: Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Yonaguni Island The Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica kami) is a subspecies of the Yellow Pond Turtle, found on Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Yonaguni Island. In 2018, the Yellow Pond Turtle was assessed as a… Continue reading Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle