Okinawa Herping in the Rainy Season : in search for three species of ground geckos

We embarked on a herping expedition in rainy-season Okinawa. The main objective was to search for three species of ground geckos (Goniurosaurus sp.) in three locations: Yanbaru National Park on northern Okinawa Main Island, southern Okinawa Main Island, and Iheya Island.

The first destination was the southern part of Okinawa Main Island. This area is characterized by a landscape dominated by uplifted limestone formations from ancient coral reefs. It’s a significant spot where the Japanese ground gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae) can be photographed against a backdrop of limestone.

Japanese ground gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae)

Blessed with favorable weather, we observed over 20 specimens. The Japanese ground gecko is distinguished by a continuous pattern running from the neck to the tail, against its back.

Japanese ground gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae)
Japanese ground gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae)

On the second day, we traveled to Iheya Island, the northernmost island in Okinawa Prefecture. I set out in search of the most challenging to observe among Japanese ground geckos, the Iheya ground gecko (Goniurosaurus toyamai).

Upon arrival by ferry, we were greeted by the island’s beautiful sea and its sole taxi service, Habu Taxi (Habu being a species of viper), for our journey.

Iheya island’s beautiful sea
Iheya island’s sole taxi service, Habu Taxi

Shortly after dusk, the elusive Iheya ground gecko appeared. Its distinct band pattern and light pinkish body coloration were remarkable. It was a large (equivalent to the length of the palm of one’s hand) and stunning specimen, particularly due to its intact tail—something which is rarely found in nature.

Iheya ground gecko  (Goniurosaurus toyamai)
Iheya ground gecko  (Goniurosaurus toyamai)

Subsequently, I successfully observed one of Okinawa’s rarest snakes, the Hai coral snake (Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri). Although there are no records of human bites to date, we had to be careful while observing these snakes because they are highly venomous members of the cobra family.

Hai Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri)
Hai Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri)

One of the most intriguing encounters was with the Ryukyu odd-tooth snake (Lycodon semicarinatus). I observed a total of three of them that day, noting their darker, more chic coloration compared to their counterparts on Okinawa Main Island. Typically, this species on Okinawa Main Island darkens as they grow larger, but the specimens on Iheya Island exhibited darker hues even at smaller sizes, hinting at possible new species awaiting discovery through further research on this less-visited island.

Ryukyu odd-tooth snake  (Lycodon semicarinatus)
Ryukyu odd-tooth snake  (Lycodon semicarinatus)

After encountering another Iheya ground gecko and successfully observing a habu the following morning, our Iheya herping adventure concluded with great satisfaction.

Iheya ground gecko  (Goniurosaurus toyamai)
Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis)

For the final day, we headed to Yanbaru National Park on northern Okinawa Main Island. Here, the primary goal was to observe the recently registered new species in 2024, the Yambaru ground gecko (Goniurosaurus nebulozonatus).

The Yambaru ground gecko is distinguished by interrupted dorsal patterns. Among the specimens observed, some showed patterns which were almost connected, clearly distinguishing them from the previously categorized Japanese ground geckos found on southern Okinawa Main Island.

Yambaru ground-gecko  (Goniurosaurus nebulozonatus)
Yambaru ground-gecko  (Goniurosaurus nebulozonatus)

Herping in Yanbaru National Park is appealing not only due to the variety of creatures one can observe but also because of the richness of biodiversity. In addition to geckos, we successfully observed Ryukyu green snakes (Cycophiops semicarinatus), Anderson’s crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni), and Namiye’s frog (Limnonectes namiyei), culminating in a highly satisfying herping experience.

Ryukyu green snakes (Cycophiops semicarinatus)
Anderson’s crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni )
Namiye’s frog (Limnonectes namiyei)
Okinawa pitviper (Ovophis okinavensis)

The Okinawa Islands are a hotspot for herps, each island harboring unique endemic species. I encourage every herper to venture out for a herping experience here.

 

Photo &Text : Wataru HIMENO

Observation : May 2024, Okinawa Islands

Photo & text : Wataru HIMENO(  Instagram “Herping Tonight” )

Please contact us,  Saiyu Travel Japan  for Herping in Japan.

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Herping Okinawa, Reptiles and Amphibians in Japan

This is a summary of the wild creatures you might encounter while herping in Okinawa.

The Japanese cave gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae, in Japanese:クロイワトカゲモドキ Kuroiwa tokagemodoki) is endemic to Japan. They have primitive characteristics: such as a lack of scales on their fingers, so they cannot stick to or climb walls; they have eyelids, so they can blink; etc. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, depending on which region and on which island they are found. This is the Goniurosaurus kuroiwae kuroiwae, which is the standard subspecies among the different varieties. It features a prominent red eye with banded patterning on its body.

Japanese cave gecko
Japanese cave gecko
Japanese cave gecko

The Kerama Cave Gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae sengokui, in Jp: ケラマトカゲモドキ  Kerama tokagemodoki), a subspecies of the Kuroiwa cave gecko, can only found on a few islands, located two hours by ferry, from the main island of Okinawa. It has a striking orange body, which is noticeable as a difference in the juveniles, right from birth.

Kerama Cave Gecko
Kerama Cave Gecko
Kerama Cave Gecko

Other gecko species live in Okinawa have various subspecies with different color patterns, depending on the island and the region where they can be found.

The Japanese cave gecko Goniurosaurus kuroiwae kuroiwae ( in Japanese:クロイワトカゲモドキ沖縄本島亜種  Kuroiwa tokagemodoki Okinawa Mainland Subspecies) has red eyes and a striped pattern indicative of the cave geckos. Lives on the southern part of the main island of Okinawa.

Japanese cave gecko :Okinawa Mainland Subspecies
Japanese cave gecko :Okinawa Mainland Subspecies

The Kume Cave Gecko Goniurosaurus kuroiwae yamashinae (in Jp: クメトカゲモドキ Kume tokagemodoki) has yellow eyes and a yellow banded coloration.

Kume Cave Gecko

In Okinawa Prefecture, there is a golden colored pit viper that is endemic to the Ryuku Islands, in Japanese called the Habu(ハブ)  Protobothrops flavoviridis . Its venom is not very poisonous, but the full length can be rather large at over 2 meters long and solenoglyphous, the fangs for injecting the venom is 1.5 cm. The silver color variation is called a ‘Gin Habu’ meaning ‘Silver Habu’ which is lacking the yellow pigment that is found in the typical Habu.

Habu
Habu
Habu

Additionally, there is an endemic Viper in Japanese called the ‘Hime Habu(ヒメハブ)’ (Ovophis okinavensis) which inhabits the same area. Literally, the name means “small habu,” however, even though it belongs to the same family as the Habu, it is a different genus. Frogs being their favorite prey, they can often be observed at the waterside hunting for frogs that are distracted and trying to breed. They stay active even in the winter when other snakes are usually less active.

Hime Habu
Hime Habu
Hime Habu

Moreover, in the Yaeyama Island Chain, which are islands located south of the main island of Okinawa, the endemic Sakishima-Habu(サキシマハブ) Protobothrops elegans can be found. In the Sakishima Islands during the summer, one might come across this snake as a given, but you might see an orangish colored snake, that is the same species, but it has lost its dark color. This rare color variation is about one in every 10 snakes. It is a very beautiful snake.

Sakishima-Habu
Sakishima-Habu

Also, on the main island of Okinawa, there is an extra large snake known as the Ryukyu odd-tooth snake (Lycodon semicarinatus) or in Japanese ‘Akamata(アカマタ),’ which may have a total length exceeding 2 meters. With a voracious appetite, it eats anything including frogs, lizards, mice, and other snakes. It is an endemic species of Japan.

Ryukyu odd-tooth snake
Ryukyu odd-tooth snake

Okinawa’s frogs are also famous.

The most famous frog is the endemic Ishikawa’s Frog (Odorrana ishikawae) or in Japanese ‘Okinawa Ishikawa gaeru(オキナワイシカワガエル).’ With a total length of more than 10 cm it is a relatively large species, however, coming across it in the forest may be difficult because it is usually dispersed in the mountains. In addition, relatively many blue frogs, lacking the yellow pigment have been found, resulting in many people herping in the Yambaru region in search of blue Ishikawa frogs.

Ishikawa’s Frog
Ishikawa’s Frog

Also, in the Yambaru forest, there is a high probability to be able to observe the endemic Ryukyu Tip-nosed Frog (in Jp: Hanasakigaeru(ハナサキガエル). Because they have very long legs, they can quickly evade you, making it quite difficult to photograph. It is very rare, but according to some, the blue variation of these frogs has been found there as well.

Ryukyu Tip-nosed Frog
Ryukyu Tip-nosed Frog

Then, there is the endemic Anderson’s Crocodile Newt  Echinotriton andersoni, in Japanese Iboimori(イボイモリ), which lives like a reptile. Even though they are amphibians, they aren’t found in or near water, and have strange adaptations like laying their eggs on land.

Anderson’s Crocodile Newt
Anderson’s Crocodile Newt

There are many other beautiful amphibians and reptiles that can be found here, so we hope you can try herping in Okinawa.

 

Photo & text : Wataru HIMENO(  Instagram “Herping Tonight” )

Please contact us,  Saiyu Travel Japan  for Herping in Japan.

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