The Ornate narrow-mouth frog (Microhyla okinavensis) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. It is one of the smallest frogs found on Okinawa. It can be extremely hard to find due to its small size.

• Scientific name: Microhyla okinavensis
• Common name: Ornate narrow mouth frog, ant frog and ornate pygmy frog
• Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
• Habitat: Forests, mountain slopes, drainage ditches and farm fields.
• Diet: Ants, termites and small insects
• Average size: 15mm-25mm
• Color: brown

Ornate narrow mouth frog -Okinawa © Shawn Miller

I have found this beautiful frog in the Yanbaru forest, local parks, drainage ditches and even common walking trails in central Okinawa.

Old grown forest -Yanbaru forest © Shawn Miller

This small frog is a master of camouflage. I often find it on rocks, plants, and leaves during my night walks.

Ornate rice frog -Ryukyu Islands © Shawn Miller

Breeding season takes place in the month of April.

Mating ornate frogs © Shawn Miller

The fogs take advantage of farmers buckets.  They lay their eggs in small pools of water.

Tadpoles of Okinawa by Shawn Miller © Shawn Miller

Tadpoles, Yamada Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Ornate rice frog -Onna village © Shawn Miller

Photographed on a white portable studio for the Meet your neighbours project                 – dedicated to connecting people worldwide with the wildlife in their community –

Meet your neighbours project by Shawn Miller © 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 worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bring solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support.  Shawn M Miller.