Wataru HIMENO– Author –
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Wildlife Observed in Amami Oshima
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 amazin... -
Snake “Caudal Luring” – The Amazing Hunting Strategy of Using the Tail to Attract Prey
The spider-tailed horned viper （Pseudocerastes urarachnoides), which uses caudal luring to attract birds, observed in Iran. What is Caudal Luring? Caudal luring is a fascinating behavior in which a snake moves its tail like bait to attr... -
Searching for the King Cobra in Bali
This time, I had the chance to observe the Sunda King cobra (Ophiophagus bungarus) on the famous Indonesian island of Bali.The King cobra is known as the largest venomous snake in the world, and it also inhabits Bali, where it ... -
Wildlife Survey in the Tokara Islands – Takara-jima
We conducted a herping survey on Takara-jima, reached after approximately 13 hours by boat from Kagoshima Port. Our primary targets were the Tokara pit viper (Protobothrops tokarensis) and the Takara gecko (Gekko takaraensis), both endem... -
How to Find the World’s Largest Wild Snake – Reticulated Python
This time, I observed Reticulated pythons (Malayopython reticulatus) on Bali and Flores Islands in Indonesia. Members of the python family, including this species, can grow to very large sizes. Large individuals feed on big prey only onc... -
Comprehensive Guide to Japanese cave gecko Species: Habitats and Characteristics
Currently, there are seven species of Goniurosaurus (Japanese ground geckos or Japanese cave geckos ) living in Japan. Here, I would like to introduce my favorite creatures among them. ① Kuroiwa’s Ground Gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwa... -
West Papua Birdwatching Report ②: Arfak Mountains Edition
Continuing from the previous reports, we now share our observations from the Arfak Mountains, located about a 3-hour drive from Manokwari. The Arfak Mountains, with an elevation of over 2,000 meters, offer a cool climate unlike most part... -
West Papua Birdwatching Report ①: Jayapura
We went birdwatching in West Papua, Indonesia. Overall, this year West Papua also experienced unusual weather conditions that have been common in recent years. Even in July, when it usually rains less, there was frequent rainfall, and bi... -
Herping Across Iran: Reptiles and Amphibians from Desert to Forest
This report highlights the reptile and amphibian species observed during a two-week herping expedition across Iran. Covering nearly 7,000 kilometers and driving up to 10 hours a day through diverse landscapes—from arid deserts to humid f... -
Wild Mammals Observed During a Herpetological expedition in Iran
During a recent herpetological expedition in Iran, we had the opportunity to encounter a variety of wild mammal species in diverse habitats, particularly in mountainous and desert regions. Below is a record of the notable species observe...
