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
Category: reptile
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
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
Pryer’s Keelback Snake
Species information Scientific name: Hebius pryeriJapanese name: ガラスヒバァChinese name: 普氏腹鍊蛇、沖繩腹鍊蛇English name: Pryer’s keelback snakeOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description 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,… Continue reading Pryer’s Keelback Snake
Iwasaki’s Slug Snake
Pareas iwasakii Japanese name: イワサキセダカヘビChinese name: 岩崎鈍頭蛇English name: Iwasaki’s Slug SnakeOrigin: Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island This is the only species of the genus Pareas found in Japan. It occurs on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands but is rarely seen due to its low population density. Its primary diet consists of snails. The species name iwasakii honors… Continue reading Iwasaki’s Slug Snake
Sakishima Ground Skink
Scincella boettgeri Japanese Name: サキシマスベトカゲChinese Name: 先島滑蜥English Name: Sakishima Ground SkinkOrigin: Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands (excluding Yonagunijima) This small lizard inhabits the forest floor and is highly secretive, making it difficult to observe in the wild.
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.
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.
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:
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