Protobothrops tokarensis Japanese name: トカラハブChinese name: 寶島原矛頭蝮English name: Tokara HabuOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima) The Tokara Habu is an endemic species restricted to Takarajima and Kodakarajima. Species of the genus Protobothrops do not occur beyond the deep sea trench between Kodakarajima and Akusekijima, a biogeographic boundary known as the “Watase Line.” This snake measures about… Continue reading Tokara Habu
Tag: Takarajima
Oshima Skink
Species information Scientific name: Plestiodon oshimensisJapanese name: オオシマトカゲChinese name: 大島石龍子English name: Oshima skinkOrigin: Amami Islands (excluding Yoron Island and Okinoerabujima), Tokara Islands (Takarajima, Kodakarajima, Suwanosejima) Ecology and description This species has a total length of about 20 cm, with a snout-vent length of 6-11 cm. It resembles Okinawa Skink (Plestiodon marginatus) which is distributed in… Continue reading Oshima Skink
Ryukyu Robin
Species information Scientific name: Larvivora komadoriJapanese name: アカヒゲChinese name: 琉球歌鴝English name: Ryukyu robinOrigin: Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Danjo Islands, Tokara Islands (resident or summer bird) Ecology and description Ryukyu robin are distributed on islands north of Tokunoshima in the Ryukyu Islands, but in winter, they may migrate south, with records of sightings on Okinawajima, Yonaguni, Taiwan,… Continue reading Ryukyu Robin
Amami Whipscorpion
Species information Scientific name: Typopeltis stimpsoniiJapanese name: アマミサソリモドキChinese name: 奄美鞭蠍English name: Amami whipscorpionOrigin: Iheyajima, Tokunoshima, Amami Oshima, Tokara Islands, Osumi Islands (Kuchinoerabujima, Iojima, Takeshima), Satsuma Peninsula, Kami-Koshikijima Ecology and description The whipscorpion releases an acidic gas containing acetic acid from its tail as a defense against predators. This species is endemic to Japan but has… Continue reading Amami Whipscorpion
Ryukyu Green Snake
Species information Scientific name: Cyclophiops semicarinatusJapanese name: リュウキュウアオヘビChinese name: 琉球青蛇English name: Ryukyu green snakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, Tokara Islands including Takarajima and Kodakarajima Ecology and description Ryukyu green snake is about 70 to 80 cm in length and is not as bright green as the Chinese green snake (Cyclophiops major) distributed in China and… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Snake