Tag Archives: turtles of okinawa

The Chinese soft-shell turtle – Aquatic turtles of Okinawa

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This year we have had an abundance of rain on Okinawa. Locals have been finding a great deal of turtles on the road, specifically the Chinese soft-shell turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis ). This soft shell turtle was originally introduced as a food source. This species is currently listed as vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

  • Scientific name: Pelodiscus sinensis
  • Common name: Chinese softshell turtle
  • Distribution: Introduced to most of Japan and the Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat: Ponds, drainage ditches, rice paddies and farm fields.
  • Diet: Insects, fish, frogs, snails, and plants
  • Average size: 30-35cm
  • Color: Olive gray

An adult soft turtle found in the farm fields at night.

Chinese soft-shell turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis )A large female I found laying eggs on the bank of a small water source.

7602942662_f0f7eb1520_zA closeup of a soft turtle infested with leaches. Stop staring!

Chinese soft-shell turtle ( Pelodiscus sinensis )Meet chunky

0K2A8570The beautiful farm fields of Okinawa, prime habitat for aquatic turtles.

Sunrise - Kin Marsh, Okinawa

 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.

#MakeTheSwitch4Nature

Asian Yellow Pond Turtle – Reptiles of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

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The Asian Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica) is found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. It is listed as an endangered species on the IUCN list of threatened species.

  • Scientific name: Mauremys mutica
  • Common name: Asian Yellow Pond Turtle
  • Distribution: Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat: Ponds, drainage ditches, rice paddies and farm fields.
  • Diet: Insects, fish, frogs, snails, plants, and algae
  • Average size: 15-20cm
  • Color: Brown or Olive-yellow
Sunrise - Kin Marsh, Okinawa

Sunrise – Kin Marsh, Okinawa © Shawn Miller

The Juvenile Asian yellow pond turtle in its natural habitat.

Asian yellow pond turtle, Onna Village

Asian yellow pond turtle, Onna Village © Shawn Miller

A face-closeup of this shy turtle

Asian yellow pond turtle, Okinawa

Asian yellow pond turtle, Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Breeding season usually takes place during the months of March and April.

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Asian Yellow Pond Turtles mating

An adult feeding on a non-native tilapia fish.

Asian pond turtle

Asian Yellow Pond Turtle (Mauremys mutica)

I usually find this turtle crossing the road at night or early in the morning.

Asian Yellow Brown Pond Turtle

Asian Yellow Brown Pond Turtle © Shawn Miller

This was a large turtle with a previous injury more than likely caused by a vehicle. Look close to see the cracking in the shell.

A roadside survivor

A roadside survivor © Shawn Miller

The truth is I have seen more of these turtles dead than alive. Please watch your speed and pay close attention to crossing wildlife.

Asian yellow pond turtle, Okinawa Asian yellow pond turtle, Okinawa © Shawn Miller

Asian yellow pond turtle © Shawn Miller

Asian yellow pond turtle, Road Kill

Road Kill -Watch your speed © 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.

 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.

Sea Turtle Art Show – Okinawa, Japan

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Please come out to the Sea Turtle Art show on August 12th, 2017. The event will take place at the Okinawa Brewing Company at 2:00-6:00 pm. We will have original artwork, prints, and postcards for sale.  This is a collaboration with local artists to bring awareness to sea turtle conservation and what you can do to save our oceans. Part of the profits will be donated to sea turtle conservation and related causes.

* CJ and friends will be performing live music for the event.

Turtle art show

Turtle art show

Baby sea turtle making the journey to the ocean. Okinawa, Japan.

Baby sea turtles leaving the nest

Baby sea turtles leaving the nest – Photography by Shawn Miller

The beautiful sea turtles of the Ryukyu Islands

Green Sea Turtle

Green Sea Turtle -Photography by Shawn Miller

Our trash is becoming a serious problem on our shorelines. All of us can do better to reduce our waste and protect out natural environment.

Trash on our shorelines

Trash on our shorelines -Photography by Shawn Miller

I often find single-use items washed on our shorelines. Plastic bags, forks, spoons, pet bottles, straws, razors, medicine prescription containers, flip-flops, hair combs, toothbrushes, bento boxes, Styrofoam, shotgun shells, and rope are the common items washed ashore.

Beach trash -hermit crabs

Beach trash – Crabs with beach trash homes by Shawn Miller

The event turnout was better than expected. A big thanks to all that supported the event and to the contributors and local artists.

A few photographs of the event  –

Turtle art show -Okinawa, Japan

Turtle art show   “The wall of art “

Turtle art show -Okinawa, Japan

Turtle art show -Okinawa, Japan

Turtle art show –  Pollution print

Turtle art show – Laowa 12mm F2.8 D dreamer perspective

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Good times at Okinawa brewing company-

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.

Have a great day!

 

Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle, Yanbaru forest

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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 Black breasted leaf turtle - up close

Black-breasted leaf turtle – up close

Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica)

Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica)

Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica)

Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica)

Black breasted leaf turtle - up close

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.

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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.

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Leaf turtle fluorescence

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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

Yanbaru forest Ticks on the Black-breasted leaf turtle

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Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle infested with ticks

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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)

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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

Wildlife steps

Watch your speed and pay close attention to crossing wildlife.

Wildlife crossing warning signs

Wildlife crossing warning signs

watch out for crossing turtles -Kunigami village

watch out for crossing turtles -Kunigami village

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The truth is I have seen more of these turtles dead than alive. Watch your speed!

Black breasted leaf turtle - up close Black breasted leaf turtle - up close

Black-breasted leaf turtle – up close

Road kill

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.