Species information
Scientific name: Hebius pryeri
Japanese name: ガラスヒバァ
Chinese name: 普氏腹鍊蛇、沖繩腹鍊蛇
English name: Pryer’s keelback snake
Origin: 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, this behavior makes it vulnerable to becoming roadkill itself. This species possesses mild venom, but its fangs are small, and no envenomation cases have been reported.
The species name pryeri honors Henry James Stovin Pryer, a British entomologist and ornithologist who lived in Yokohama during the Meiji era. While working for a trading company, Pryer collected bird and lepidopteran specimens from various parts of Japan.
Field photographs taken during our tours, with observation dates
Pryer’s Keelback During the 【Herping】 tour, this species is frequently spotted near ponds or stream environments. When driving for the 【Night Birding】 tour on rainy days, there is also a good chance of encountering them on the road.
