Species information Scientific name: Cuora flavomarginata evelynaeJapanese name: ヤエヤマセマルハコガメChinese name: 八重山食蛇龜、琉球黃緣閉殼龜English name: Yaeyama yellow-margined box turtleOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description Yaeyama yellow-margined box turtle, a subspecies of the Yellow-margined box turtle, is native to the Yaeyama Islands. Habitat destruction and poaching have led to a decline in its population. Since the 1970s, this species has also been found… Continue reading Yaeyama yellow-margined box Turtle
Category: Reptiles
Habu
Species information Scientific name: Protobothrops flavoviridisJapanese Name: ハブChinese Name: 波布、黄綠龜殼花English Name: HabuOrigin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands Ecology and description 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… Continue reading Habu
Himehabu
Species information Scientific name: Ovophis okinavensisJapanese name: ヒメハブChinese name: 姬波布, 沖繩烙鐵頭English name: Himehabu, Okinawa pit viperOrigin: Okinawa Islands (Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima), Amami Islands (Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima, Yorojima, Tokunoshima) Ecology and description The Himehabu is a venomous snake that grows up to 80 cm in length. Its Japanese name, “Himehabu,” includes the word… Continue reading Himehabu
Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Species information Scientific name: Lycondon semicarinatumJapanese name: アカマタChinese name: 琉球紅斑蛇、半稜狼齒蛇English name: Ryukyu odd-tooth snakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands Ecology and description The Ryukyu odd-tooth snake is a non-venomous species that can grow up to 170 cm in length. However, juveniles are particularly aggressive. It is one of the most commonly encountered snakes in Yambaru and… Continue reading Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Miyako Keelback
Species information Scientific name: Hebius concelarusJapanese name: ミヤコヒバァChinese name: 宮古腹鍊蛇English name: Miyako keelbackOrigin: Miyakojima, Irabujima Ecology and description Miyako keelback is a species endemic to Miyakojima and Irabujima. It is very rare and classified as a “Domestic Rare Wildlife Species” in Japan. Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Diploderma polygonatumJapanese name: キノボリトカゲChinese name: 琉球龍蜥English name: Ryukyu tree lizardOrigin: The nominate subspecies is distributed in the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands. The Sakishima subspecies is found in the Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands, while the Yonaguni subspecies is found on Yonaguni Island. Ecology and description This genus was previously named… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Amami Coral Snake
Species information Scientific name: Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicusJapanese 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, Ukejima Ecology and description The Amami coral snake is a small venomous snake of the family Elapidae (cobra family), with a body length of approximately 30-60 cm. It is rare and difficult to observe. Although there… 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
Species information Scientific name: Takydromus dorsalisJapanese name: サキシマカナヘビChinese name: 先島草蜥English name: Sakishima grass lizardOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hateruma, Kohama of the Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description This is the largest species of grass lizard in Japan. Males and females are of the same color, both being green. It is characterized by a black line from the… Continue reading Sakishima Grass Lizard