Species information
Scientific name: Zhangixalus viridis
Japanese name: オキナワアオガエル
Chinese name: 沖繩樹蛙
English name: Okinawa tree frog
Origin: Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Kumejima
Ecology and description
From November to May, the breeding calls of Okinawa tree frogs can frequently be heard in the mountains of Okinawa. The males have yellow bellies while the females have white bellies, and their significant difference in body size makes them easy to distinguish.
Okinawa tree frogs may spawn on the ground or in trees. Individuals observed spawning on the ground often display olive-green or brown coloration. I suspect their color may shift to blend in with the background after staying on the ground for a while, though I have not witnessed the actual color-changing process of the same individual in one spot.
During the peak of breeding activity in winter, Okinawa tree frogs frequently move from trees onto the roads, making them highly vulnerable to roadkill.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
There is a high probability of spotting Okinawa tree frogs during the 【Herping】 tour in winter, and you might even witness them spawning. From March to May, you can observe their tadpoles and newly metamorphosed froglets. During the 【Night Birding】 tour, we also occasionally encounter Okinawa tree frogs on the road; in such cases, we move them off the pavement to prevent roadkill.
