The Red-eared slider – Introduced animals of Okinawa by Shawn Miller

The Red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands to include Mainland Japan. It was introduced in the 1950s by the pet trade market and is still sold in pet shops here in Okinawa.

  • Scientific name: Trachemys scripta elegans
  • Common name:  Red-eared slider turtle
  • Distribution: Introduced to most of Japan and the Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat: Ponds, drainage ditches, rice paddies and farm fields.
  • Diet: Insects, fish, frogs, snails, and plants
  • Average size: 20-28cm
  • Color: Brown and yellow with a bright red temporal blotch

Before you purchase one of these turtles make sure you are committed to taking care of it for a very long time. They can live for over thirty years. A big problem is people frequently abandon these aquatic turtles in local ponds and rivers.  The introduced turtles compete with all native animals.  Eventually, causing a negative impact on the environment.

I often find the Red-eared slider sunbaking on logs and rocks

The Red-eared slider

The Red-eared slider Okinawa © Shawn Miller

We found this Red-eared slider painted silver at the Comprehensive park. Cruel, not cool!

Silver painted turtle- Comprehensive Park

Silver painted turtle- Comprehensive Park © Shawn Miller

These turtles are considered the most abandoned pet in the world. The local zoos often end up taking care of these abandoned reptiles.

Abandoned turtle- Okinawa city zoo

Abandoned turtles- Okinawa city zoo

I found this cute hatchling crossing the road in Yomitan.

Turtle hatchling © Shawn Miller

Turtle hatchling © Shawn Miller

An Albino turtle I photographed at a local Pet shop in Okinawa.

Albino Red-eared slider

Albino Red-eared slide © Shawn Miller

Photographed on white for the Meet Your Neighbours Biodiversity Project. All images are used for educational purposes

© Shawn Miller

MYN technique © Shawn Miller

A large Red-eared slider catching some rays at the Ginowan convention center pond. A balancing act!

A balancing act  © Shawn Miller

A balancing act © Shawn Miller

Check out that balance- Turtle Yoga with a smile!

Turtle Yoga pose, Comprehensive park

Turtle Yoga pose, Comprehensive park © Shawn Miller

 My Mission: To Document and Preserve the Wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Invasive species of Okinawa

Invasive species are introduced animals, plants and fungus that cause damage to the natural environment. Non-native species have a tendency of dominating the habitat and eventually wiping out native wildlife.  They have been deliberately or accidentally introduced and generally do more harm than good.

The mongoose was introduced to Okinawa in 1910 in attempt to control the population of venomous snakes. The problem is the habu snake is nocturnal and the mongoose is diurnal, so they rarely meet.

Mongoose ( Hepestes javanicus )

Mongoose ( Hepestes javanicus ) -Nagahama, Okinawa

The pheasant was introduced in the 1900’s as a food source. The bird is also know to feed on small snakes and insects that feed on local crops.

Common Pheasant

Common Pheasant – Yomitan, Okinawa

The Red eared turtle was Introduced in the the 1960’s.  Pet owners generally release these turtles when they get too big.

Red-eared slider

Red-eared slider -Nagahama, Okinawa

The White jawed frog was introduced in the the 1960’s. It was brought in by the pet trade or hitchhiking on shipping supplies.

White lipped tree frog

White lipped tree frog – Ie Island

The Taiwanese habu was introduced in the 1970s for zoo exibitions and medicine.  They are fairly common in Onna village.

Taiwanes habu- Onna village

Taiwanes habu- Onna village

The Apple snail was introduced as a food source in the 1980s.  They are commonly found in rice fields. It’s not recommended to handle or eat these snails raw. They sometimes carry parasites that cause disease.

Apple snail

Apple snail -Kunigami, Okinawa

Feral cats are master hunters. They are responsible for killing native species such as birds, lizards and mice.  Some countries have implemented programs to reduce the killing of wildlife. If you own a cat that spends it time outdoors, it is recommended to place a brightly colored collar with a bell on it.  This warns the native wildlife and gives them a chance to escape.

Feral cats

Feral cats – Kin, Okinawa

The american bullfrog was introduced in 1918 as a food source. Bullfrogs eat anything they can fit into their mouth. They are larger and overpower the native frogs of the Ryukyu Islands.

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American bullfrog – Izena Island

The Giant African snail was Introduced as a food source in the 1930’s . It’s not recommended to handle or eat these snails raw. They sometimes  carry parasites that cause disease.

Giant African snail

Giant African snail -Kin, Okinawa

The Coconut rhinoceros was introduced with the importation of palm trees.

Coconut rhinoceros beetle

Coconut rhinoceros beetle

The Snapping turtle was introduced by pet owners. They buy them when they are very small and fail to realize they can live for over forty years.

Snapping turtle

Snapping turtle – introduced to okinawa

The Taiwanese beauty snake was introduced in the 1970s for zoo exhibitions.

Taiwanese beauty snake

Taiwanese beauty snake – Yomitan, Okinawa

The Brown rat was possibly introduced by lumber transportation ships.

Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) -Yomitan, Okinawa

Talapia were brought to the Ryukyu islands in the 1960s as a food source. They eat the eggs of amphibians and compete with native fish.

Tiliapia introduced food source

Tiliapia introduced food source – Itoman, Okinawa

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. If you would like to make a contribution to support my mission, please click on the donation link  paypal.me/maketheswitch4nature

Your donations will help conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support, Shawn M Miller.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature