The Okinawan Sword-tailed newt (Cynops ensicauda popei) is an endangered species found on the main islands of Okinawa an Amami. It is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN red list of threatened species. This amphibian is decreasing in numbers due to deforestation and road kill.
- Scientific name: Cynops ensicauda popei
- Distribution: Okinawa and Anami Islands
- Habitat: Forests, wetlands and freshwater streams
- Diet: Amphibian eggs, tadpoles, snails, worms and insects
- Average size: 100-180mm
Sword tailed newt with stripes
They all have bright orange bellies, which serve as a warning sign to predators that they are poisonous. When threatened they produce a transparent skin toxin.
- Poisonous animals are toxic if you eat them or ingest their secretions. Irritations may occur after handling these newts if you have open wounds. Avoid rubbing your eyes or placing your hands in your mouth.
The newt photographed in its natural habitat.
Sword-tailed newt in natural habitat
The aquatic stage of the newt has external gills. Photographed on Amami Island
Juvenile Cynops ensicauda ensicauda -Amami Island
Sword tailed newt -Onna village
Sword tailed newt – Onna village
Sword tailed newt -yanbaru forest
An average looking sword-tailed newt with a blood sucking leech
Sword-tailed newt with leech
The Sword- tailed newt is often found crossing the road on rainy days in northern Okinawa.
Newt crossing
The government has designed specialized wildlife steps for animals that get trapped in roadside drainage ditches. These steps allow the newts to crawl out safely.
Wildlife steps
Please pay attention to crossing wildlife
Road kill- Sword tailed newt Sword tailed newt
If you like newts, you have to check out the coolest newt on the planet, Anderson’s crocodile newt.
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.