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
Tag: Iriomote
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
Emerald Dove
Chalcophaps indica Japanese Name: キンバトChinese Name: 翠翼鳩English Name: Emerald DoveOrigin: Widely distributed in Asia, only found in Japan’s Sakishima Islands (Miyako Island to Yonaguni Island) In Japan, this species is a resident bird from Miyako Island southward to Yonaguni Island. Miyako Island is the easiest place in Japan to observe this species. The male has white… Continue reading Emerald Dove
Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Zosterops japonicus loochooensis Japanese Name: リュウキュウメジロChinese Name: 琉球綠繡眼、日菲繡眼琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Warbling White-eyeOrigin: Islands of the Ryukyu Archipelago, south of Amami Oshima This subspecies is one of the subspecies of the Warbling White-eye (Zosterops japonicus). Compared to the nominate subspecies found in Japan, which has a brownish color under the wings, the Ryukyu subspecies has a whiter chest.… Continue reading Ryukyu Warbling White-eye
Ryukyu Brown Hawk-Owl
Ninox japonica totogo Japanese Name: リュウキュウアオバズクChinese Name: 琉球褐鷹鴞、日本褐鷹鴞琉球亞種English Name: Ryukyu Brown Hawk-OwlOrigin: Taiwan, Ryukyu Islands The Brown Hawk-Owl found in Japan was previously classified under the scientific name Ninox scutulata. However, in 2002, this species was separated from Ninox scutulata and recognized as a distinct species. It is further divided into the following three subspecies:… Continue reading Ryukyu Brown Hawk-Owl