Searching for the Amami Oshima Frog by Shawn Miller

Posted on August 3, 2019 by Admin11

The Amami Oshima frog is featured in National Geographic this month for the series ” Wildlife As Canon Sees It “

The Amami Oshima Frog (Odorrana splendida) is considered the most beautiful frog found in Japan. It is only found on Amami Island and is listed as an endangered species. It is one of the many endemic species facing extinction due to habitat loss. This protected species is designated as a living national treasure of Okinawa.

Scientific name: Odorrana splendida
Distribution: Amami Island
Habitat: Forest streams
Diet: Insects, worms, and millipedes
Average Size: 90mm-110mm

We were on the Island for a short period of time but managed to see eight Amami Oshima frogs. It rained the entire time but that didn’t stop us, we were on the mission to find the endemic species. I explored the island with Zoologist Valdimir Dinets and bat Scientist Jason Preble. We were fortunate to see the Amami rabbit, Amami Jay, Owston’s woodpecker, Hime habu, Ryukyu robin, Amami woodcock, Amami Spiny rat, Otton frog, Amami tip-nosed frog, Whip scorpion, Wood pigeon, Coral snake, Crocodile newt and the banded ground gecko endemic to Tokunoshima. Below are some of my favorite images of the Amami Oshima frog in it’s natural habitat.

We also found a small pond with Amami Oshima tadpoles.

Please pay attention wildlife crossing the roads at night.

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

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

Okinawa Coral snake – Venomous snakes of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

Posted on October 5, 2018 by Admin11

The Okinawa Coral snake (Simomicrurus japonicus boettgeri) is a venomous snake found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are difficult to find here on Okinawa and are usually found at night. More effort should be focused on conserving this exotic native snake. This beautiful snake has been overlooked and needs to be protected. It is currently listed near threatened on the IUCN red list of endangered species.

Scientific name: Simomicrurus japonicus boettgeri
Local name: Okinawa Coral snake
Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
Habitat: Forests
Diet: Small snakes and lizards
Average size: 30cm -60cm
Color: Black, orange with a yellow and black belly.

They blend in very well with leaves and broken sticks making them hard to find.

When threatened the coral snake will coil its tail. This defense mechanism confuses the predator.

These rare snakes are often found crossing the road at night and sadly I have seen more dead than alive.

The underside of the snake is quite beautiful as well.

The Hyan coral snake ( Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicus) is a subspecies we found on Amami Island. The stripes are less interrupted than the Okinawan coral snake.

People often ask me what is the purpose of conservation photography? Having the ability to affect some form of positive change in the environment and make a global difference with the photographs. Hopefully, the images will inspire people to care more about nature and make a positive difference in the environment.

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

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

Searching for the Amami Rabbit by Shawn Miller

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Admin11

The Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) is an endangered species found on Amami and Tokuno Island. This rare species is a living national treasure of Japan and is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN red list of threatened species. It’s biggest threats are deforestation, feral cats, dogs and the introduced mongoose.

Scientific Name: Pentalagus furnessi
Common Name: Amami or Ryukyu Rabbit
Japanese name: Amamino kuro usagi
Distribution: Amami and Tokuno Island
Habitat: Dense mountain forest
Diet: Plants, shrubs, bark, and acorns
Average size: 45cm
Threats: Deforestation and the mongoose

Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) © Shawn Miller

We initially had some trouble finding the Amami Rabbit. We knew we were close once we started finding fresh rabbit droppings and a black insect that resembled a dung beetle.

Fresh Ryukyu rabbit pellets © Shawn Miller

We were fortunate to see over thirty rabbits during our night drive. We even found a photogenic juvenile feeding on leaves. The cute baby rabbits are referred to as kittens or kits.

It is illegal to capture or trap this small-eared Island rabbit. Both Islands are doing a great job protecting this threatened species and the forest it lives in.

The mongoose is the biggest threat to the wildlife of the Ryukyu Islands. It was introduced to the Ryukyu Islands in the1900’s In order to reduce the venomous habu populations. All the islands are still battling this never ending problem.

Mongoose ( Hepestes javanicus )

All the photographs of the Amami rabbit were taken from the car through the back seat window. In the beginning, I had difficulty with the cameras autofocus system. The rabbits were far away and left the scene after three- ten seconds. I adapted by mounting a Light&Motion GoBe light with a 500 search head to my tripod collar. This allowed the autofocus system to be extremely responsive using the Canon EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM.

Light&Motion GoBe https://www.lightandmotion.com/choose-your-light/gobe

Let’s work together to protect the beauty of the Ryukyu Islands. Have a great day!

Okinawa Nature Photography

沖縄自然写真 By Shawn Miller

Category Archives: Animals of Amami and Tokuna Island

Searching for the Amami Oshima Frog by Shawn Miller

Okinawa Coral snake – Venomous snakes of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

Searching for the Amami Rabbit by Shawn Miller