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
Category: Lizards
Okinawa Short-Legged Skink
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
Oshima Skink
Plestiodon oshimensis Japanese name: オオシマトカゲChinese name: 大島石龍子English name: Oshima SkinkOrigin: Amami Islands (except Yoronjima and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima) The Oshima 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 Skink (Plestiodon marginatus), which occurs in the Okinawa Islands… Continue reading Oshima Skink
Barbour’s Skink
Plestiodon barbouri Japanese name: バーバートカゲChinese name: 巴氏石龍子English name: Barbour’s SkinkOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands The Barbour’s 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 tails are… Continue reading Barbour’s Skink
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.
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.