Okinawa Toxic Caterpillars by Shawn Miller

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Admin11

Think twice before you touch any of the beautiful hairy caterpillars on Okinawa. I have been stung at least four times. Some of the attractive caterpillars are toxic, the spines deliver a painful sting and irritate the skin. It will form red rash, itch badly and annoy you more than anything. If you find yourself having a severe allergic reaction seek medical attention immediately.

Gypsy moth caterpillar -Yanbaru forest © Shawn Miller

Rosy Gypsy moth © Shawn Miller

Gypsy Moth © Shawn Miller

Eventually, the caterpillar will transform into a beautiful moth.

Rosy Gypsy Moth © Shawn Miller

March 2018, Some friends were exploring some waterfalls and a tiny caterpillar fell off a tree and landed right on the back of my neck. I knew exactly what it was when it happened. It felt like my neck was on fire, it was similar to the sting of a marine fireworm.

Toxic hairy caterpillar © Shawn Miller

It burns Dr © Shawn Miller

A few more of the hairy caterpillars found in Northern Okinawa.

Insects that sting -Mt Ishikawa © Shawn Miller

Insect of Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Insects of Northern Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Harry and scary insects © Shawn Miller

Insects of Hiji Falls © 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.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Whale Watching Okinawa – Searching for Humpback Whales by Shawn Miller

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Admin11

Whale watching season starts at the beginning of February and ends in April. We went out with The Zamami Whale watching Association In 2013. Before the boat ride, a local Scientist delivered an informative presentation on these powerful endangered animals. I have to say they are doing their best to educate the public on the protection of the Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). During the boat ride, the staff and boat captain were highly professional. The boats kept a safe working distance from the whales. The whales would surface for a few minutes go back down for 10-15minutes and resurface. We really wanted to get some powerful images of the whale jumping out of the water but we didn’t get that lucky. It was still worth the experience.

Whale watching tours – Kerama Islands

Humpback checking out the scene

Humpback Whale Dorsal fin

Whale Fluke -Karama Islands

Whale watching tours at Zamami Island

Whale tail splash

The Humpback whales biggest threat is Pollution. They are filter feeders and often accidentally ingest marine debris. Our waste is a serious problem for all marine animals.

Our waste is overwelling. We are at the point of massive destruction if we don’t do anything about it right now. The trash (Marine debris) is found on the surface of the water, underwater and littered on our beautiful shorelines. This is a worldwide issue we continue to ignore.

Ocean surface pollution

Underwater Pollution

Beach shoreline pollution

Ropes and fishing gear are entanglements for the Whales

Ropes, fishing gear, and nets are entanglements for the Whales

Plastic pollution, noise pollution and an increase in large boat traffic are having an impact on the whales. Every year we see whales washed on our shorelines.

Dead humpback whale – Kadena

Juvenile humpback whale

Another Juvenile humpback whale washed up on Torii beach.

Dead humpback whale – Yomitan

Dead humpback whale – Yomitan

Let’s protect the animals of the Okinawa.

Pryers Keelback Snake – Reptiles of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

Posted on March 11, 2018 by Admin11

As of March 2018, The Pryers Keelback (Hebius pryeri) is considered a venomous snake found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are rear-fanged and require a strong long-term chewing style bite to inject the venom into the wound. They are a very common snake found on Okinawa. I often find them in the Yanbaru forest on my night dwellings.

Scientific name: Hebius pryeri
Local name: The Pryers Keelback
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Forests, grasslands, streams and rice fields
Diet: Frogs, frog eggs and small reptiles
Average size: 60cm-115cm
Color: Black & yellow with yellow bell

This year (2018) the Okinawa government posted some education posters to bring awareness about the snakes of Okinawa. I was surprised to see the Pryers Keelback is now considered venomous.

Venomous snakes of Okinawa

A Pryers Keelback snake with a unique pattern searching for frog eggs. Kume Island

The Pryers Keelback -Kume Island © Shawn Miller

A juvenile Keelback searching for frogs near a fresh water stream. Izena Island

Pryers Keelback – Izena Island © Shawn Miller

Look close at the split tongue flickering back.

Pryers Keelback – Yanburu forest © Shawn Miller

The Pryers Keelback mainly feeds on the small frogs. Its favorite meal is the Kajika frog!

Ryukyu Kajika frog © Shawn Miller

They generally feed on the animals head first.

Ryukyu Kajika frog © Shawn Miller

Sometimes you will see them eat frogs feet first. This makes for a more interesting photograph.

Holding on tight – Never give up!

One of my favorite photographs of snake predation. A very large Pryer’s keelback feeding on a White jawed frog.

I often find these snakes dead in the road. A large Yanbaru forest crab (Candidiopotamon okinawense) took advantage of the situation.

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

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.

Shark and Rays – Art Show & Fundraiser, Okinawa

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Admin11

Shark and Rays – The Art Show & Fundraiser was a great success.

Shark and Rays -Art show at OBC Okinawa

Purpose: To educate others about these amazing creatures and the major threats they are facing and to donate some of the profit from art pieces to conservation organizations. (The Shark guardian, Manta trust and Maldives whale shark research program)

There was work form sixteen local artists as well as a live band (Cj and friends)
– A big thanks to Julia Janicki, Hazel Roome and Rodel Santo Domingo for setting up this event.