Species information
Scientific name: Plestiodon kishinouyei
Japanese name: キシノウエトカゲ
Chinese name: 岸上石龍子
English name: Kishinoue's giant skink
Origin: 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 the Japanese weasel and Common peafowl, causing a gradual decline in numbers. The species name “kishinouyei” is in honor of the Japanese fisheries scholar Kamakichi Kishinouye.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
