Species information Scientific name: Ovophis okinavensisJapanese name: ヒメハブChinese name: 姬波布, 沖繩烙鐵頭English name: Himehabu, Okinawa pit viperOrigin: Okinawa Islands (Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima), Amami Islands (Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima, Yorojima, Tokunoshima) Ecology and description The Himehabu is a venomous snake that grows up to 80 cm in length. Its Japanese name, “Himehabu,” includes the word… Continue reading Himehabu
Tag: Tokashiki
Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Species information Scientific name: Lycondon semicarinatumJapanese name: アカマタChinese name: 琉球紅斑蛇、半稜狼齒蛇English name: Ryukyu odd-tooth snakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands Ecology and description The Ryukyu odd-tooth snake is a non-venomous species that can grow up to 170 cm in length. However, juveniles are particularly aggressive. It is one of the most commonly encountered snakes in Yambaru and… Continue reading Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Okinawa crocodile newt
Species information Scientific name: Echinotriton andersoniJapanese name: オキナワイボイモリChinese name: 沖繩棘螈English name: Okinawa crocodile newtOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokashikijima Ecology and description This species is designated as a natural monument in Okinawa Prefecture and is one of the most primitive species in the family Salamandridae. For this reason, it is often referred to as a “living fossil.” The… Continue reading Okinawa crocodile newt
Sword-tail Newt
Species information Scientific name: Cynops ensicaudaJapanese name: シリケンイモリChinese name: 劍尾蠑螈English name: Sword-tail newtOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description The species name Sword-tail newt ensicauda means sword (ensis) and tail (cauda). This species is divided into different subspecies between the Okinawa Islands and the Amami Islands. Interestingly, Tokunoshima, which lies between the Okinawa Islands… Continue reading Sword-tail Newt
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
Green Grass Lizard
Takydromus smaragdinus Japanese Name: アオカナヘビChinese Name: 翡翠草蜥English Name: Green Grass LizardOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima and Kodakarajima), Amami Oshima, Kikai Island, Tokunoshima, Okinawa Islands, Kumejima This species is distributed across parts of the Central Ryukyu Islands. Males are green or brown, with a brown stripe along the sides and a yellowish belly, while females are yellow-green,… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada
Species information Scientific name: Graptopsaltria bimaculataJapanese name: リュウキュウアブラゼミChinese name: 琉球油蟬English name: Ryukyu large brown cicadaOrigin: Okinawajima and surrounding islands, Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Tokunoshima Ecology and description Ryukyu large brown cicada is an endemic species found on the Central Ryukyu islands, including the Amami Islands and the Okinawa Islands. The patterns of populations in the Okinawa… Continue reading Ryukyu Large Brown Cicada