Species information Scientific name: Pareas iwasakiiJapanese name: イワサキセダカヘビChinese name: 岩崎鈍頭蛇English name: Iwasaki's slug snakeOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description This species is the only member of the slug snake genus found in Japan, distributed in Ishigaki and Iriomote, and is rarely seen due to its limited numbers. It feeds on snails. The species was named… Continue reading Iwasaki’s Slug Snake
Tag: Ishigaki
Yaeyama yellow-margined box Turtle
Species information Scientific name: Cuora flavomarginata evelynaeJapanese name: ヤエヤマセマルハコガメChinese name: 八重山食蛇龜、琉球黃緣閉殼龜English name: Yaeyama yellow-margined box turtleOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description Yaeyama yellow-margined box turtle, a subspecies of the Yellow-margined box turtle, is native to the Yaeyama Islands. Habitat destruction and poaching have led to a decline in its population. Since the 1970s, this species has also been found… Continue reading Yaeyama yellow-margined box Turtle
Black Wood Pigeon
Species information Scientific name: Columba janthinaJapanese name: カラスバトChinese name: 黑林鴿English name: Black wood pigeonOrigin: China (Shandong Province), Korea, Japan Ecology and description This species has 3 subspecies: Black wood pigeon primarily dwells in the canopy layer, making it difficult to spot and sometimes only detectable by its call. Reference: Wikipedia Field photographs taken during our… Continue reading Black Wood Pigeon
Yaeyama Music Frog
Species information Scientific name: Nidirana okinavanaJapanese name: ヤエヤマハラブチガエルChinese name: 琉球琴蛙English name: Yaeyama music frogOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description The call of the Yaeyama music frog resembles the sound of playing a harp, which is very unique. They mainly dig burrows for breeding in mudflats during the summer. It is crucial not to step into… Continue reading Yaeyama Music Frog
Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Diploderma polygonatumJapanese name: キノボリトカゲChinese name: 琉球龍蜥English name: Ryukyu tree lizardOrigin: The nominate subspecies is distributed in the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands. The Sakishima subspecies is found in the Miyako Islands and Yaeyama Islands, while the Yonaguni subspecies is found on Yonaguni Island. Ecology and description This genus was previously named… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab
Species information Scientific name: Ryukyum yaeyamenseJapanese name: ヤエヤマヤマガニChinese name: 八重山琉球蟹English name: Yaeyama ryukyu crabOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Kohama Ecology and description The genus Ryukyum is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, and currently only includes the single species Yaeyama ryukyu crab. This species is designated as a rare species of wildlife in Okinawa Prefecture due to its… Continue reading Yaeyama Ryukyu Crab
Slaty-legged Crack
Species information Scientific name: Rallina eurizonoides sepiariaJapanese name: オオクイナChinese name: 灰腳秧雞（琉球亞種）English name: Slaty-legged crackOrigin: This subspecies is found on Okinawajima, Miyakojima, and the Yaeyama Islands. Ecology and description The Ryukyu subspecies of the slaty-legged crack is distributed across several islands in Okinawa, with Miyakojima and Ishigaki being the areas where it’s more commonly observed. Adult… Continue reading Slaty-legged Crack
Sakishima Grass Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Takydromus dorsalisJapanese name: サキシマカナヘビChinese name: 先島草蜥English name: Sakishima grass lizardOrigin: Ishigaki, Iriomote, Hateruma, Kohama of the Yaeyama Islands Ecology and description This is the largest species of grass lizard in Japan. Males and females are of the same color, both being green. It is characterized by a black line from the… Continue reading Sakishima Grass Lizard
Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Species information Scientific name: Odorrana supranarinaJapanese 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: Ishigaki, Iriomote Ecology and description Greater tip-nosed frog is an endemic species found only on Ishigaki and Iriomote. Its species name, supranarina, means larger than the Okinawa tip-nosed frog (O. narina). The body length of males is about 6-7 cm, while… Continue reading Greater Tip-nosed Frog
Yaeyama Crested Serpent Eagle
Species information Scientific name: Spilornis cheela perplexusJapanese name: カンムリワシChinese name: 八重山大冠鷲、琉球蛇鵰English name: Yaeyama crested serpent eagleOrigin: This subspecies is only found on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands Ecology and description Yaeyama crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela perplexus) is a subspecies of the crested serpent eagle, found only on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands. It is rare, with… Continue reading Yaeyama Crested Serpent Eagle