The Ryukyu Kajika frog ( Buergeria japonica ) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. It is the most common frog found on Okinawa.
- Scientific name: Buergeria japonica
- Common name: Ryukyu Kajika frog
- Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
- Habitat: Forests, mountain slopes, drainage ditches and farm fields.
- Diet: Small Insects
- Average size: 25mm-40mm
- Color: Olive green, brown and golden yellow
This small frog is a master of camouflage. I often find it on rocks, plants, trees, drainage ditches and even our trash.
Ryukyu Kajika frog on tatami mat
Ryukyu Kajika frog -macro
Ryukyu Kajika frog – Kume Island
Ryukyu Kajika frog
Ryukyu Kajika frog- manhole cover
This is the only frog on Okinawa that is capable of living on the shoreline next to the ocean. I have photographed them as close as five feet away from the saltwater.
Ryukyu Kajika frog- skin discoloration
Beach-dwelling Kajika frog
Beach-dwelling Kajika frog
A beautiful Kajika frog in the jungles of Iriomote Island.
Kajika frog -Iriomote Island
Photographed on white for the Meet Your Neighbours Project
Ryukyu Kajika frog – MYN
The males turn a golden yellow during mating season. The season stretches from April to September on Okinawa.
Ryukyu Kajika frog – Amami Island
Ryukyu Kajika frog – mating
Ryukyu Kajika frog – drainage ditch
The eggs are laid in slow-moving and still water sources. The eggs will develop into tadpoles and eventually transform into baby frogs. I often find tadpoles thriving in farming water buckets.
Juvenile Kajika frog
The summer months provide a great opportunity for natural predators.The frogs come together in large numbers.
Crab feeding on frogs
Pryer’s keelback feeding
Never give up
Never give up -Okinawa, Japan
If you see frogs, there is a possibility that snakes are nearby. The snakes patiently wait for frogs in drainage ditches and still water sources. The Kajika frog is the Hime habu’s favourite meal.
Hime habu – GoPro
Have a great day!