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
Protobothrops elegans Japanese 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 (excluding Yonagunijima and Haterumajima). In southern and central Okinawajima, it is a domestic alien species. The Sakishima Habu is a relatively small pit viper, measuring about 60 to 120 cm in length, much smaller than the Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis). Its body is generally… Continue reading Sakishima Habu
Sakishima Green Snake
Cyclophiops herminae Japanese Name: サキシマアオヘビChinese Name: 先島青蛇English Name: Sakishima green snakeOrigin: Yaeyama Islands, Miyako Islands The Sakishima green snake (Cyclophiops herminae) is a slender snake, typically measuring about 50–85 cm in length, with a grayish-green body. It has a relatively small head, and some individuals may display dark longitudinal stripes. This species primarily feeds on… Continue reading Sakishima Green Snake
Sakishima Odd-tooth Snake
Lycodon rufozonatus walli Japanese name: サキシママダラChinese name: 先島紅斑蛇、赤鏈蛇沃氏亞種English name: Sakishima Odd-tooth SnakeOrigin: Miyako Islands, Yaeyama Islands The species Lycodon rufozonatus is divided into two subspecies:
Iwasaki’s Slug Snake
Pareas iwasakii Japanese name: イワサキセダカヘビChinese name: 岩崎鈍頭蛇English name: Iwasaki’s Slug SnakeOrigin: Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island This is the only species of the genus Pareas found in Japan. It occurs on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands but is rarely seen due to its low population density. Its primary diet consists of snails. The species name iwasakii honors… 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
Protobothrops flavoviridis Japanese Name: ハブChinese Name: 波布、黄綠龜殼花English Name: HabuOrigin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands 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 Okinawa and Amami Islands, with its… 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