Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus sengokuiJapanese name: ケラマトカゲモドキChinese name: 慶良間瞼虎English name: Kerama ground geckoOrigin: Tokashikijima, Akajima Ecology and description Kerama ground gecko features about 3–4 light orange transverse bands on its back, and the front half of the body sometimes exhibits longitudinal stripes. Small, lighter-colored spots are usually visible between the bands. The iris is… Continue reading Kerama Ground Gecko
Category: Reptiles
Yambaru Ground Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus nebulozonatusJapanese name: ヤンバルトカゲモドキChinese name: 山原瞼虎English name: Yambaru ground geckoOrigin: Northern Okinawajima Ecology and description This species was identified as a new species in a 2024 report, distinguishing it from Kuroiwa’s ground gecko (G. kuroiwae). It is found in the Yambaru region of northern Okinawajima. The dorsal crossbands of this gecko… Continue reading Yambaru Ground Gecko
Toyama’s Ground Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus toyamaiJapanese name: イヘヤトカゲモドキChinese name: 伊平屋瞼虎English name: Toyama’s ground geckoOrigin: Iheyajima Ecology and description This species is characterized by a dark brown base color with yellow bands and lacks a dorsal line. It is the rarest Goniurosaurus gecko species in the Ryukyu Islands. ※ Designated as a Natural Monument in Okinawa… Continue reading Toyama’s Ground Gecko
Yamashina’s Ground Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Goniurosaurus yamashinaeJapanese name: クメトカゲモドキChinese name: 久米瞼虎English name: Yamashina's ground geckoOrigin: Kumejima Ecology and description This species is characterized by a body pattern primarily consisting of transverse bands, with a few irregular small spots in the bands. The iris of the eye is yellow. ※ Designated as a Natural Monument by Okinawa… Continue reading Yamashina’s Ground Gecko
Common House Gecko
Species information Scientific name: Hemidactylus frenatusJapanese name: ホオグロヤモリChinese name: 疣尾蜥虎English name: Common house geckoOrigin: Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. In Japan, it is distributed in the Ryukyu Islands south of Amami Oshima but can potentially move to other areas along with household furniture. Ecology and description Common house gecko is the most common gecko in… Continue reading Common House Gecko
Okinawa Skink
Plestiodon marginatus Japanese name: オキナワトカゲChinese name: 沖繩石龍子English name: Okinawa SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Yoronjima, Okinoerabujima The Okinawa Skink reaches a total length of about 15–19 cm and is distributed in the Okinawa Islands as well as on Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima in the Amami Islands. It mainly inhabits coastal forests and grasslands, in contrast to Barbour’s Skink… Continue reading Okinawa Skink
Okinawa Short-legged Skink
Species information Scientific name: Ateuchosaurus okinavensisJapanese name: オキナワヒメトカゲChinese name: 沖繩光蜥English name: Okinawa short-legged skinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands Ecology and description The Ateuchosaurus genus is characterized by its very short limbs, currently consisting of 3 species: The Okinawa short-legged skink measures about 10-13 cm in total length and often moves under leaf litter, making it difficult to… Continue reading Okinawa Short-legged Skink
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 Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon oshimensisJapanese name: オオシマトカゲChinese name: 大島石龍子English name: Oshima skinkOrigin: Amami Islands (excluding Yoron Island and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima) Ecology and description This species has a total length of about 20 cm, with a snout-vent length of 6-11 cm. It resembles Okinawa Skink (Plestiodon marginatus) which is distributed in… Continue reading Oshima Skink
Barbour’s Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon barbouriJapanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour's SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description This is a medium-sized skink distributed in the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands. The specific epithet commemorates the American herpetologist Thomas Barbour. Juveniles have a dark brown body with 5 golden lines and a blue… Continue reading Barbour’s Skink