Anderson’s crocodile newt is an endangered species found throughout the Ryukyu islands. It is designated as a living natural monument in Okinawa and is currently listed as endangered on the IUCN red list of threatened species. This amphibian is decreasing in numbers due to poaching and deforestation. The newt is highly valued in the illegal pet trade market. This is my favorite amphibian to photograph on my night adventures in Okinawa.

• • • Scientific name: Echinotriton andersoni

   

  • • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands

   

  • • Habitat:  Forests and wetlands

   

  • • Diet:  Worms and snails

   

  • Average Size:  120mm -160mm

The Anderson’s crocodile newt was featured in National geographic in November 2020

Shawn Miller featured 11-2021

Photographed under the ambient light on Amami Island.

Anderson’s crocodile newt

Anderson’s crocodile newt

The first Anderson’s newt I have seen with one webbed hind foot.

Webbed hind feet

I was lucky to capture the Anderson’s crocodile newt cleaning its eyes. This was the first time documenting this behavior. 

Anderson’s crocodile newt

Newt with closed eye

Sometime they pick up hitchhikers, check out this blood sucking leech!

Blood sucking leech

It’s rare to find animals eating in nature. I found this Anderson’s crocodile newt feeding on an earthworm in Northern Okinawa.

Feeding, Yanbaru forest

Late in the evening the newts meet up and search for a mate.

Finding a mate, Onna Village

The aquatic stage of the newt has external gills. It slowly prepares itself for the transition into the terrestrial juvenile stage. They can be found in mud puddles in the months of May and June.

Aquatic stage -external gills

Watch your speed and pay close attention to crossing wildlife. Roadkill is a huge problem on Okinawa. 

Dinosaurs of Okinawa

Watch out for crossing newts

All the roads in northern Okinawa have specialized wildlife steps for the animals that get trapped in the drainage ditch. These steps allow the newts and other animals to crawl out safely.

Wildlife steps

 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.