Species information Scientific name: Buergeria japonicaJapanese name: リュウキュウカジカガエルChinese name: 日本樹蛙、日本河鹿蛙English name: Ryukyu kajika frogOrigin: Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Ecology and description Ryukyu kajika frog is not actually found on Japan’s Honshu island but is distributed throughout the Ryukyu Islands south of Kuchinoshima in the Tokara Islands (excluding the Miyako Islands, Kita Daito, and… Continue reading Ryukyu Kajika Frog
Tag: Tokunoshima
Himehabu
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
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
Rusty-leaf Mucuna
Species information Scientific name: Mucuna macrocarpaJapanese name: イルカンダChinese name: 血藤English name: Rusty-leaf MucunaOrigin: Southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Amami Oshima to Okinawa Islands, and India. Ecology and description The Japanese name “Iru-kanda” is derived from the Okinawan dialect; “イル（iru）” means “color” in Okinawan, and “カンダ（kanda）” means “vine.” Rusty-leaf Mucuna is commonly found in the forests of… Continue reading Rusty-leaf Mucuna
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
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
Boettger’s Coral Snake
Species information Scientific name: Sinomicrurus boettgeriJapanese name: ハイChinese name: 沖繩華珊瑚蛇English name: Boettger’s coral snakeOrigin: Okinawajima, Tokashikijima, Iheyajima, Kumejima Ecology and description Boettger’s coral snake is a small venomous snake in the family Elapidae, about 40–50 cm long. It is rare and hard to observe. It lives on the floor of damp natural and secondary forests… Continue reading Boettger’s Coral Snake
Amami Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Amamiku amamensisJapanese name: アマミミナミサワガニChinese name: 奄美阿神蟹English name: Amami Freshwater CrabOrigin: Endemic to Tokunoshima and Amami Oshima Ecology and description Amami Freshwater Crab belongs to the genus Amamiku, named after the creation goddess Amamiku from Ryukyu culture. This species was initially considered an Amami subspecies of Okinawa Candidiopotamon freshwater crab (Candidiopotamon okinawense),… Continue reading Amami Freshwater Crab
Green Grass Lizard
Species information Scientific name: Takydromus smaragdinusJapanese name: アオカナヘビChinese name: 翡翠草蜥English name: Green grass lizardOrigin: Takarajima and Kotakarajima in the Tokara Islands, Amami Oshima, Kikaijima, Tokunoshima, Okinoerabujima, the Okinawa Islands, Kumejima Ecology and description The green grass lizard is endemic to Japan and lives on some islands of the central Ryukyus. The total length is about… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
Sakamoto Freshwater Crab
Species information Scientific name: Geothelphusa sakamotoanusJapanese name: サカモトサワガニChinese name: 坂本澤蟹English name: Sakamoto Freshwater CrabOrigin: Okinawajima, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Kikaijima Ecology and description Sakamoto Freshwater Crab is distributed not only in the northern part of Okinawajima but also in its central and southern regions. It is also found on Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Kikaijima, making it… Continue reading Sakamoto Freshwater Crab