Wataru HiIMENO– Author –
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Encounter with the Sakishima-banded Snake (Lycodon rufozonatus walli) on Ishigaki Island
**Sakishima-banded Snake (Lycodon rufozonatus walli)** Sakishima-banded Snake (Lycodon rufozonatus walli) eating a Sakishima rice frog (Fejervarya sakishimensis) One of the most commonly encountered snakes while herping on Ishigaki Islan... -
Tips for Finding the Elegant Pit Viper (Protobothrops elegans)
**How to Find the Elegant Pit Viper (Protobothrops elegans)** Elegant Pit Viper (Protobothrops elegans) Found relatively easily on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands, this species exhibits a wide range of color variations, from orange to gray... -
Observing the Borneo Forest Dragon (Gonocephalus bornensis)
Encountered during a nighttime herping expedition in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. I found it sleeping on a branch protruding from a jungle trail, mesmerized by its beautifully patterned body. A unique member of the agamid fa... -
Encountering the Bornean Horned Frog (Pelobatrachus nasutus) in Borneo’s Jungles.Herping Borneo
In the nighttime jungle of Borneo, when your headlamp catches a reflection in the forest floor, it is most likely the Bornean Horned Frog (Pelobatrachus nasutus). These frogs are incredibly beautiful, yet not difficult to observe, as we ... -
Discovering the Yonaguni King Rat Snake (Elaphe carinata yonaguniensis) on Yonaguni Island,Japan
The King Rat Snake (Elaphe carinata) is a large colubrid snake found in Taiwan, Vietnam, China, and other regions. When threatened, it releases a liquid with a distinctive odor, which is why it is called "臭蛇" (Shūda, or "stinking snake... -
Encountering the Rare Sabah Pit Viper (Trimeresurus sabahi) in the Forests of Sabah
The Herping expedition in Sabah, Borneo, is nearing its end. Despite spending hours walking through the forest from early morning, I still hadn't encountered one of my main targets, the Sabah pit viper (Trimeresurus sabahi), and was star... -
Discover the Fascinating Anderson’s Crocodile Newt (Echinotriton andersoni)
Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni) The Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni), also known as the Okinawa newt, is a remarkable amphibian native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. This species, often referred to... -
Observing the Newly Discovered Yambaru Ground Gecko (Goniurosaurus nebulozonatus)
This time, I observed the newly discovered Yambaru ground gecko (Goniurosaurus nebulozonatus). Although I had previously observed this species when it was still classified as the Japanese ground gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae), I paid clo... -
Encountering the Rare Iraq Babbler: A Wildlife Expedition in the Deserts of Iran
During a previous expedition to search for the Spider-tailed Horned Viper (scientific name: Pseudocerastes urarachnoides) in the deserts of Iran, I had the privilege of observing the Iraq Babbler (scientific name: Argya altirostris). Ira... -
Hunting for Wild Iranian Leopard Geckos in the Zagros Mountains of Iran
This time, I set out to find the "Iranian Leopard gecko," also known as the Giant Leopard gecko (scientific name: Eublepharis angramainyu), in the southern Zagros Mountains of Iran. As Leopard Geckos are nocturnal ground-dwelling lizards...
