Tag Archives: Japarula polygonata polygonata

Okinawan Tree Lizards of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

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The Okinawan tree lizard (Japarula polygonata polygonata) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. It is listed as Vulnerable on The Okinawa Red Data Book of threatened species. Habitat destruction and collection have greatly reduced the populations of the beautiful reptile.

    • Scientific name: Japarula polygonata polygonata
    • Common name: Okinawan tree lizard or Monkey lizard
    • Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
    • Habitat: Trees and bushes
    • Diet: Insects
    • Average size: 17-27cm
  • Color: Green and yellow

A great place to see this beautiful lizard is in the Yanbaru forest.

Check out those sharp teeth

Check out those sharp teeth © Shawn Miller

If you’re lucky you can find one eating an insect or two.

Okinawan tree lizard feeding on a bee

Okinawan tree lizard feeding on a bee © Shawn Miller

Okinawan tree lizard feeding on a tiger beetle

Okinawan tree lizard feeding on a tiger beetle © Shawn Miller

Sometimes the monkey lizard is not so lucky. It is the Ryukyu odd-toothed snakes favorite meal.

Ryukyu odd-tooth feeding

Ryukyu odd-tooth feeding © Shawn Miller

Photographed on white for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project. All images are used for conservation awareness and educational purposes.

Japarula polygonata polygonata -MYN Project

Japarula polygonata polygonata -MYN Project © Shawn Miller

This was the first time I found a pair sleeping in a spider monkey fern tree.

Pair of sleeping monkey lizards

Pair of sleeping monkey lizards © Shawn Miller

Female monkey-lizard

Female monkey-lizard © Shawn Miller

Japalura polygonata ishigakiensis is a subspecies found on Ishigaki and Iriomote Island.

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Japalura polygonata ishigakiensis © Shawn Miller

Face closeup -Japalura polygonata ishigakiensis

Face closeup -Japalura polygonata ishigakiensis © Shawn Miller

A closeup of the protective scales.

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lizard scales © Shawn Miller

Please pay attention to crossing wildlife.

Amami tree lizard

Amami tree lizard crossing the road

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.