Species information Scientific name: Pericrocotus tegimaeJapanese name: リュウキュウサンショウクイChinese name: 琉球山椒鳥English name: Ryukyu minivetOrigin: Kanto region to Kyushu, Japan, and Ryukyu Islands Ecology and description The Ryukyu minivet has a grey belly. Males have a blacker head, while females have a greyer head. They are easier to observe during the breeding season in spring. Originally, the… Continue reading Ryukyu Minivet
Tag: Ryukyu arc
Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
Species information Scientific name: Yungipicus kizukiJapanese name: コゲラChinese name: 小星頭啄木鳥English name: Japanese pygmy woodpeckerOrigin: Japan (including the Ryukyu Islands), Korea, parts of northeastern China. Ecology and description The Japanese pygmy woodpecker is approximately 13-15 cm in length and is a small woodpecker. It sometimes forages in mixed flocks with the Japanese white-eye or other tit… Continue reading Japanese Pygmy Woodpecker
Giant House Centipede
Species Information Scientific name: Thereuopoda cluniferaJapanese name: オオゲジChinese name: 大蚰蜒、臀獵足蚰English name: Giant house centipedeOrigin: Widely distributed in warm, humid areas of East and Southeast Asia. In Japan, found in Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands. Ecology and Description The giant house centipede can grow up to 7-10 cm and preys on insects and other… Continue reading Giant House Centipede
キマダラマツムシ
Species information Scientific name: Cardiodactylus guttulus Japanese name: キマダラマツムシChinese name: 黃斑鐘蟋English name: Cardiodactylus cricket (Forest cricket)Origin: Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Southeast Asia Ecology and description The Cardiodactylus cricket is the most common cricket in Okinawa. On Okinawa Island, adults can be found starting around mid-August. They are extremely abundant and serve as a primary food source… Continue reading キマダラマツムシ
Blueberry Hermit Crab
Coenobita purpureus Japanese name: ムラサキオカヤドカリChinese name: 紫陸寄居蟹English name: Blueberry Hermit CrabOrigin: Japan, Taiwan The Blueberry Hermit Crab was once considered endemic to Japan but has recently been discovered in Taiwan as well. Juveniles are pale gray and difficult to distinguish from other land hermit crab species. However, adults develop a striking purple coloration, which unfortunately… Continue reading Blueberry Hermit Crab
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticola Japanese name: ヤマシギChinese name: 山鷸English name: Eurasian WoodcockOrigin: Widely distributed across the Eurasian continent. Breeds in temperate regions in summer and migrates south to overwinter. In the Ryukyu Islands, it is a winter visitor. In the Ryukyu Islands, Eurasian Woodcocks that migrate from areas such as Hokkaido can be observed from late September… Continue reading Eurasian Woodcock
Pacific Land Crab
Tuerkayana hirtipes Japanese Name: オカガニChinese Name: 毛足圓盤蟹English Name: Pacific land crabOrigin: Widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region The Pacific Land Crab (Tuerkayana hirtipes) has a dark carapace, ranging from dark brown to black. Its eyes are also black, and the hairy area on its cheeks is rectangular in shape. It mainly inhabits inland coastal… Continue reading Pacific Land Crab
Little Nipper Crab
Geograpsus grayi Japanese Name: カクレイワガニChinese Name: 格雷陸方蟹、葛氏陸方蟹English Name: Little Nipper CrabOrigin: Widely distributed from the western Pacific to the Indian Ocean and eastern coast of Africa Among the crabs in the family Grapsidae, the genus Geograpsus shows a relatively high degree of terrestrial adaptation. These land crabs store water in their body and extract oxygen… Continue reading Little Nipper Crab
Coconut Crab
Birgus latro Japanese Name: ヤシガニChinese Name: 椰子蟹English Name: Coconut CrabOrigin: Tropical islands along the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific coasts (though extinct on some islands). In Japan, they are found from the Amami Islands to the westernmost Yonaguni Island. Coconut crabs belong to the land hermit crab family. Juvenile coconut crabs carry shells like hermit… Continue reading Coconut Crab