The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica) is an endangered species found in Northern Okinawa. This turtle is decreasing in numbers due to poaching, deforestation and roadkill. The turtle is highly valued in the pet trade market and needs to be protected. It has been designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan and is currently on the IUCN red species list as endangered.
- Scientific name: Geoemyda japonica (Fan, 1931)
- Distribution: Okinawajima
- Habitat: Leaf littered wetland forests
- Diet: Worms, snails, insects, crustaceans, and fruit
- Average Size: 140mm- 160mm
The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle in its natural habitat.
Black-breasted leaf turtle – up close
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica)
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica)
Black-breasted leaf turtle – up close
The endangered turtle was featured on the cover of science workbooks. These workbooks are used for the junior high public school system in Okinawa, Japan.
Science workbooks
This leaf turtle was not painted red or yellow. I photographed it using specialized blue lights and filters. The shell fluoresced bright yellow and the algae grow fluoresced bright red.
Leaf turtle fluorescence
Ryukyu Leaf turtle fluorescence
Take a close look, yes those are tortoise ticks. Photographed August 9th, 2014. I have been finding more turtles infested with ticks.
Yanbaru forest Ticks on the Black-breasted leaf turtle
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle infested with ticks
Tortoise ticks of Yanbaru
I usually find the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle crossing the road at night or early in the morning.
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica)
Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica)
All the roads in northern Okinawa have specialized wildlife steps for the animals that get trapped in the drainage ditch. These steps allow the turtles and other animals to crawl out safely using the steps.
Wildlife steps
Watch your speed and pay close attention to crossing wildlife.
Wildlife crossing warning signs
watch out for crossing turtles -Kunigami village
The truth is I have seen more of these turtles dead than alive. Watch your speed!
Black-breasted leaf turtle – up close
Roadkill
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.