Cynops ensicauda Japanese Name: シリケンイモリChinese Name: 劍尾蠑螈English Name: Sword-tail newtOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands The specific name ensicauda comes from Latin, meaning “sword” (ensis) and “tail” (cauda). This species has subspecies distributed across the Okinawa and Amami Islands, but interestingly, it is absent from Tokunoshima, located between the Okinawa Islands and Amami Oshima. Sword-tail newts… Continue reading Sword-tail Newt
Tag: AmamiOshima
Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Diploderma polygonatum Japanese Name: キノボリトカゲChinese Name: 琉球龍蜥English Name: Ryukyu Tree LizardOrigin: Nominate subspecies distributed across the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands; Sakishima subspecies found in the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands; Yonaguni subspecies found on Yonaguni Island. Previously classified under the genus Japalura, which is commonly associated with true tree lizards from South Asia, this genus… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Amami Coral Snake
Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicus Japanese Name: ヒャンChinese Name: 奄美華珊瑚蛇、日本華珊瑚蛇奄美亞種、日本華珊瑚蛇指名亞種English Name: Amami Coral SnakeOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Yorojima, Ukeshima The Amami Coral Snake is a small venomous snake from the family Elapidae (cobra family), measuring around 30–60 cm in length. Rare and difficult to observe, it is unique to Amami Oshima and nearby islands such as Kakeromajima,… Continue reading Amami Coral Snake
Amami Freshwater Crab
Amamiku amamensis Japanese Name: アマミミナミサワガニChinese Name: 奄美阿神蟹English Name: Amami Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima The genus Amamiku, named after the Ryukyuan goddess of creation, Amamiku, includes this species. Initially thought to be a subspecies of the Okinawa Candidiopotamon Freshwater Crab (Candidiopotamon okinawense), it was reclassified as a separate genus in 2004. The… Continue reading Amami Freshwater Crab
Green Grass Lizard
Takydromus smaragdinus Japanese Name: アオカナヘビChinese Name: 翡翠草蜥English Name: Green Grass LizardOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima and Kodakarajima), Amami Oshima, Kikai Island, Tokunoshima, Okinawa Islands, Kumejima This species is distributed across parts of the Central Ryukyu Islands. Males are green or brown, with a brown stripe along the sides and a yellowish belly, while females are yellow-green,… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Geothelphusa sakamotoanus Japanese Name: サカモトサワガニChinese Name: 坂本澤蟹English Name: Sakamoto Freshwater CrabOrigin: Okinawa Island, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Kikai Island The Sakamoto Freshwater Crab is widely distributed in the Ryukyu Islands, including both the northern and central-southern regions of Okinawa Island, as well as on Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Kikai Island. Among the freshwater crabs in the… Continue reading Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Amami Spiny Newt
Echinotriton raffaellii Japanese name: アマミイボイモリChinese name: 奄美棘螈English name: Amami Spiny Newt (Amami Crocodile Newt)Origin: Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Ukeshima This species is one of the most primitive members of the salamander family, often referred to as a “living fossil.” It is named for its protruding ribs on both sides of its body. The population is scarce… Continue reading Amami Spiny Newt
Ruddy Kingfisher (Ryukyu subspecies)
Halcyon coromanda bangsi Japanese Name: リュウキュウアカショウビンChinese Name: 琉球赤翡翠English Name: Ruddy KingfisherOrigin: Summer migrant to the Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Ruddy Kingfisher is a subspecies of the Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda bangsi). During winter, it resides in the Philippines, while in summer, it migrates to the Ryukyu Islands for breeding. Compared to the subspecies that migrates… Continue reading Ruddy Kingfisher (Ryukyu subspecies)
Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Odorrana amamiensis Japanese Name: アマミハナサキガエルChinese Name: 奄美臭蛙、奄美鼻先蛙、奄美尖鼻蛙English Name: Amami Tip-nosed FrogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima This species closely resembles the Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog (Odorrana ranina), found in northern Okinawa, but is larger in size. Adult frogs can grow up to 10 cm, and they exhibit color variations ranging from brown to green. They are highly alert… Continue reading Amami Tip-nosed Frog
Ryukyu Flying Fox
Pteropus dasymallus Japanese Name: クビワオオコウモリChinese Name: 琉球狐蝠English Name: Ryukyu Flying Fox / Ryukyu Fruit BatOrigin: Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan The Ryukyu Flying Fox is divided into several subspecies across the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan. The Okinawa Flying Fox is relatively common on Okinawa Island. These bats enjoy a variety of plant-based foods, including new leaves,… Continue reading Ryukyu Flying Fox