Pentalagus furnessi Japanese Name: アマミノクロウサギChinese Name: 奄美黑兔、琉球兔、奄美短耳兔English Name: Amami RabbitOrigin: Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima The Amami Rabbit is the only species of the genus Pentalagus. It has short ears and strong claws adapted for digging. This species is endemic to Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima. It is nocturnal and feeds on a wide variety of plants. The… Continue reading Amami Rabbit
Tag: AmamiOshima
Otton Frog
Babina subaspera Japanese Name: オットンガエルChinese Name: 隆背拇棘蛙、奧頓蛙English Name: Otton FrogOrigin: Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima The Japanese name “Otton” comes from the Amami dialect, meaning “gigantic.” Male Otton Frogs can grow up to 12 cm in length, making them the largest native frog species in Japan. This species is closely related to Babina holsti, the Holst’s Frog,… Continue reading Otton Frog
Amami Whipscorpion
Typopeltis stimpsonii Japanese Name: アマミサソリモドキChinese Name: 奄美鞭蠍English Name: Amami WhipscorpionOrigin: Izena Island, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Tokara Islands, Osumi Islands (Kuchinoerabujima, Iojima, Takeshima), Satsuma Peninsula, Kamikoshikijima This species is endemic to Japan. However, due to human introduction, it has established populations outside its natural range, such as in Ushibuka (Amakusa City) and Hachijojima, where it is… Continue reading Amami Whipscorpion
Goodyera hachijoensis
Goodyera hachijoensis var. matsumurana Japanese Name: カゴメランChinese Name: 銀線蓮、假金線蓮English Name: Goodyera hachijoensisOrigin: Izu Islands, Yakushima, Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Amami Oshima, Yaeyama Islands, Taiwan Goodyera hachijoensis has also been recorded from Okinawajima, but the number of individuals is very low, making it an extremely rare plant. Due to frequent illegal collection, strong conservation efforts are… Continue reading Goodyera hachijoensis
Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Tricholontha papagena Japanese Name: ケブカコフキコガネChinese Name: 多毛粉吹金龜English Name: Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab BeetlesOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amamioshima This species belongs to the genus Tricholontha in the scarab subfamily Melolonthinae. Males have large, comb-like (lamellate) antennae. The Japanese common name Kebuka (meaning “hairy”) refers to the dense short hairs on the elytra. There are two recognized subspecies: Larvae… Continue reading Ryukyu Melolonthidae Scarab Beetles
Hallowell’s tree frog
Hyla hallowellii Japanese Name: ハロウエルアマガエルChinese Name: 哈氏樹蟾、哈氏雨蛙English Name: Hallowell’s Tree FrogOrigin: Okinawajima, Amami Islands The name Hallowell’s Tree Frog honors Edward Hallowell, a physician from Philadelphia and amateur naturalist who described many Japanese amphibians and reptiles in the 19th century. Males call and breed from March to June during rainy days, usually in still-water environments… Continue reading Hallowell’s tree frog
Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Vescelia pieli ryukyuensis Japanese Name: リュウキュウサワマツムシChinese Name: 琉球擬亮蟋、比爾擬亮蟋琉球亞種、皮爾氏亮蟋琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Stream CricketOrigin: Amamioshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawajima, Kumejima, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima In streamside environments of Okinawajima and other islands, the clear and high-pitched calls of the Ryukyu Stream Cricket can often be heard. These sounds are courtship calls produced by males rubbing their forewings together. Although their calls… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Cricket
Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Loepa sakaei Japanese Name: ハグルマヤママユChinese Name: 琉球黃豹天蠶蛾English Name: Ryukyu Golden Emperor MothOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amamioshima This is a large and very beautiful moth species with a wingspan of about 8 cm. It can be observed from March to October, though sightings are rare due to its low population density. The larval host plant is Actinidia… Continue reading Ryukyu Golden Emperor Moth
Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly
Matrona japonica Japanese Name: リュウキュウハグロトンボChinese Name: 琉球羽黑蜻蛉、琉球單脈色蟌English Name: Ryukyu Matrona DamselflyOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokunoshima, Amamioshima The Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly is a large damselfly species commonly seen in the Yambaru region. It was once considered a subspecies of Matrona basilaris, which is distributed in China and surrounding areas, but has since been recognized as a distinct species.… Continue reading Ryukyu Matrona Damselfly
Pryer’s Keelback Snake
Hebius pryeri Japanese name: ガラスヒバァChinese name: 沖繩腹鍊蛇English name: Pryer’s Keelback SnakeOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands 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… Continue reading Pryer’s Keelback Snake