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
Tag: Iriomote
Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab
Ryukyum yaeyamense Japanese name: ヤエヤマヤマガニChinese name: 八重山琉球蟹English name: Yaeyama Ryukyu CrabOrigin: Found on Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Kohama Island The genus Ryukyum is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands and currently includes only the Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab. This species is designated as a rare wild species in Okinawa Prefecture, with numbers decreasing due to habitat… Continue reading Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab
Slaty-legged Crake
Rallina eurizonoides sepiaria Japanese name: オオクイナChinese name: 灰腳秧雞（琉球亞種）English name: Slaty-legged CrakeOrigin: This subspecies is found on Okinawa Island, Miyako Island, and the Yaeyama Islands. The Ryukyu subspecies of the Slaty-legged Crake is distributed on several islands in Okinawa, with Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island being the most common places to observe it. Its head and… Continue reading Slaty-legged Crake
Sakishima Grass Lizard
Takydromus dorsalis Japanese Name: サキシマカナヘビChinese Name: 先島草蜥English Name: Sakishima Grass LizardOrigin: Found on Ishigaki, Iriomote, Kuroshima, and Kohama Islands in the Yaeyama Islands The Sakishima Grass Lizard is the largest of Japan’s grass lizard species. Both males and females share a vibrant green coloration. A distinguishing feature is a black line extending from the snout… Continue reading Sakishima Grass Lizard
Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Odorrana supranarina Japanese Name: オオハナサキガエルChinese Name: 大臭蛙、八重山臭蛙English Name: Greater tip-nosed frogOrigin: Endemic to Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands The Greater Tip-nosed Frog (Odorrana supranarina) is a species endemic to Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands. Its species name, supranarina, refers to its larger size compared to the Okinawan Tip-nosed Frog (Odorrana narina). Males reach a body length of… Continue reading Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Crested Serpent Eagle
Spilornis cheela perplexus Japanese Name: カンムリワシChinese Name: 八重山大冠鷲English Name: Yaeyama crested serpent eagleOrigin: This subspecies found only on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands The Yaeyama Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela perplexus) is a subspecies of the crested serpent eagle, with a limited distribution on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands. It is a rare species, with a combined… Continue reading Crested Serpent Eagle
Eiffinger’s Tree Frog
Kurixalus eiffingeri Japanese Name: アイフィンガーガエルChinese Name: 艾氏樹蛙、琉球原指樹蛙English Name: Eiffinger’s Tree FrogOrigin: Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, Taiwan Eiffinger’s Tree Frog belongs to the genus Kurixalus and is found in Japan on Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, exhibiting variable coloration. This species lays its eggs in tree holes, with both male and female frogs caring for the… Continue reading Eiffinger’s Tree Frog
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)
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
Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle
Mauremys mutica kami Japanese Name: ヤエヤマイシガメChinese Name: 八重山柴棺龜、黃喉擬水龜English Name: Yaeyama Yellow Pond TurtleOrigin: Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Yonaguni Island The Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica kami) is a subspecies of the Yellow Pond Turtle, found on Ishigaki Island, Iriomote Island, and Yonaguni Island. In 2018, the Yellow Pond Turtle was assessed as a… Continue reading Yaeyama Yellow Pond Turtle