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  4. Wildlife Observed in Amami Oshima

Wildlife Observed in Amami Oshima

2025 8/24
Birding Herping Mammal
2025/8/24
Wataru HIMENO

This time, I went herping in Amami Oshima, mainly searching for reptiles and amphibians.
Amami Oshima is an island with rich nature covering its entire area, home to a unique ecosystem and many endemic species. Here are some of the amazing wildlife encounters from this trip.

Evening Observation

Since I arrived in the evening, I immediately headed into the forest.
The first animal I encountered was the Ryukyu keelback(Hebius pryeri). It was near a puddle, probably looking for its favorite prey—frogs. Usually, they are spotted at night, so this was a rare encounter.

Ryukyu keelback(Hebius pryeri)

In the same puddle, there were many Amami Sword-tail newt(Cynops ensicauda ensicauda).

Amami Sword-tail newt(Cynops ensicauda ensicauda)


It was also the season for damselflies, and I could see many coming to lay eggs.

Mating season…

Night Observation: Birds and Mammals

After dinner, I started the night survey.
The first bird that appeared was the Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira). At first glance, it looks similar to the Eurasian woodcock, but while the latter is a migratory bird found worldwide, the Amami woodcock is a resident species that can only be seen in this area—an extremely rare bird.

Amami woodcock (Scolopax mira)

Another highlight of Amami Oshima is the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi). With its short ears and primitive characteristics such as the unique call when startled, this rabbit is the only member of its genus. Luckily, I was able to observe more than 10 individuals in just one night.

 Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi).Probably male
The name is so famous, but the species is so difficult to encounter.

Night Observation: Reptiles

Next, I encountered the Ryukyu odd-tooth snake (Lycodon semicarinatus), locally known as “Akamata.” This snake is very common in the Nansei Islands and is famous for its voracious diet. It is known to eat frogs, snakes, rats, and even swallow venomous habus whole.

Ryukyu odd-tooth snake (Lycodon semicarinatus)

Soon after, I spotted the Otton frog (Babina subaspera), an endemic species of Amami Oshima and Kakeromajima. Its most distinctive feature is having five fingers on its forelimbs, unlike most frogs which only have four. Upon closer inspection with a stick, I could confirm the presence of the fifth finger, called the “thumb,” which conceals a sharp bony spine. Handling this frog carelessly can cause injury. This unique characteristic has earned it the English nickname “flick knife frog.”

Otton frog (Babina subaspera).You may think it is just another huge frog until you flip its leg.
“Five fingers — this is the flick knife frog.”

Later, I encountered a hypomelanistic Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis), often referred to as the “kin-habu.” Unlike the normal habu, its dark pigments are missing, making it blend perfectly into the forest floor.

hypomelanistic Habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis)

Interestingly, this individual had bite marks on its body. Although the small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata) was declared eradicated from Amami, it was once introduced to control habu snakes but caused severe damage to native species. I hope these bite marks were not from a surviving mongoose.

Hope it is not a Mangoose

Only 20 meters ahead, I came across a giant Habu pit viper (Protobothrops flavoviridis). Its length was around 2 meters—the largest I have ever seen. The sheer size of its head was overwhelming. Although it moved slowly, a bite from such a snake would be extremely dangerous. At this size, it may even prey on Amami rabbits.

A gigantic Habu pit viper (Protobothrops flavoviridis). Its pattern is characteristic of Amami individuals.

Night Observation: Small Mammals and Amphibians

Another exciting find was the Amami spiny rat (Tokudaia osimensis), an endemic rodent. It moves by hopping with its hind legs together, much like a rabbit.

Amami spiny rat (Tokudaia osimensis),

In a forest ditch, I discovered the Amami Ishikawa’s frog (Odorrana splendida), often called the most beautiful frog in Japan. Adults can grow up to 13 cm, but this one was a young frog about 4 cm long. Younger individuals have even more vivid colors, and the contrast with the fallen leaves was stunning.

Amami Ishikawa’s frog (Odorrana splendida)

I also observed the Amami tip-nosed frog (Odorrana amamiensis), groups of Amami Sword-tail newt(Cynops ensicauda ensicauda), and even a black rat (Rattus rattus) before boarding the early morning ferry to Tokunoshima.

Although I didn’t encounter them this time, in certain areas, Amami Sword-tail newt(Cynops ensicauda ensicauda) are almost entirely bright red.
black rat (Rattus rattus) 

Summary

Due to a ferry cancellation, my three-night plan was shortened to just one night, so I couldn’t cover everything I wanted. Still, that’s part of the adventure of wildlife travel. I hope to return to Amami Oshima again someday.

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