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
Category: Snakes
Sakishima Habu
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
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
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
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
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