Species information Scientific name: Protobothrops elegansJapanese 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, but not distributed on Yonaguni and Hateruma. It is an introduced species in the southern and central parts of Okinawajima in Japan. Ecology and description Sakishima Habu is about 60-120cm in length, significantly smaller compared to Habu, with a variable… Continue reading Sakishima Habu
Category: Reptiles
Okinawa Black-breasted Leaf Turtle
Species information Scientific name: Geoemyda japonicaJapanese name: リュウキュウヤマガメChinese name: 琉球地龜、琉球黑胸葉龜English name: Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtleOrigin: Northern Okinawajima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle’s close relative is the turtle (Geoemyda spengleri) found in China and Vietnam, which was originally considered a subspecies until it was recognized as a separate species in 1992. The… Continue reading Okinawa Black-breasted Leaf Turtle
Sakishima Green Snake
Species information Scientific name: Cyclophiops herminaeJapanese name: サキシマアオヘビChinese name: 先島青蛇English name: Sakishima green snakeOrigin: Yaeyama Islands, Miyako Islands Ecology and description Sakishima green snake has a body length of about 50-85 cm, and its color is more like gray-green. The head appears relatively small and sometimes it has dark longitudinal stripes. Juveniles have transverse patterns.… Continue reading Sakishima Green Snake
Sakishima Wolf Snake
Species information Scientific name: Lycodon walliJapanese name: サキシママダラChinese name: 先島紅斑蛇、沃氏鏈蛇English name: Sakishima wolf snakeOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description This species was originally considered a subspecies of the Red-banded snake (Lycodon rufozonatus), but it has now been elevated to a distinct species. Its pattern is more yellowish compared to the Red-banded snake (Lycodon… Continue reading Sakishima Wolf Snake
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
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon kishinouyeiJapanese name: キシノウエトカゲChinese name: 岸上石龍子English name: Kishinoue's giant skinkOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description Kishinoue’s giant skink is the largest skink in Japan, reaching a total length of 40 cm, and inhabits open secondary forest environments. On Miyakojima and Ishigaki, it may fall prey to invasive species like… Continue reading Kishinoue’s Giant Skink
Sakishima Ground Skink
Species information Scientific name: Scincella boettgeriJapanese 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 Yonaguni) Ecology and description This species is a small lizard living on the forest floor, with a total length of about 10cm, and is secretive and hard to observe. On Miyakojima and Ishigaki, where it… Continue reading Sakishima Ground Skink
Iwasaki’s Slug Snake
Species information Scientific name: Pareas iwasakiiJapanese name: イワサキセダカヘビChinese name: 岩崎鈍頭蛇English name: Iwasaki's slug snakeOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description This species is the only member of the slug snake genus found in Japan, distributed in Ishigaki and Iriomote, and is rarely seen due to its limited numbers. It feeds on snails. The species was named… Continue reading Iwasaki’s Slug 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
Ryukyu Green Snake
Species information Scientific name: Cyclophiops semicarinatusJapanese 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, Tokara Islands including Takarajima and Kodakarajima Ecology and description Ryukyu green snake is about 70 to 80 cm in length and is not as bright green as the Chinese green snake (Cyclophiops major) distributed in China and… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Snake