Searching for the Amami Oshima Frog by Shawn Miller

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

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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

Odorrano splendida 6 Amami Island

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.

Odorrano splendida 11 Amami Island

Odorrano splendida 3 Amami Island Odorrano splendida 9 Amami Island Odorrano splendida 13 Amami Island Odorrano splendida 14 Amami Island

We also found a small pond with Amami Oshima tadpoles.

IMG_0655Please pay attention wildlife crossing the roads at night.

Ishikawas frog - Roadkill

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 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

Searching for the Amami Rabbit by Shawn Miller

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

Fresh Ryukyu rabbit pellets © Shawn Miller

Dung beetle

Possible Dung beetle © 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.

Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi)

Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) © Shawn Miller

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.

Amami Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) © Shawn Miller

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 )

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.

Amami rabbit camera setup

Amami night adventures  setup  © Shawn Miller

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.

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!