Tag Archives: venomous snakes of okinawa

The Habu Hunters of Okinawa

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The Taiwanese Habu was introduced to Okinawa in the 1970’s. They were imported for exhibitions and medical purposes. Somehow a few escaped and have populated the Island.  I have seen over a dozen on my night hikes in Onna village.

  • Scientific name: Protobothrops mucrosquamatus
  • Common name: Taiwanese habu or Brown spotted pit viper
  • Habitat: Rock walls, trees, and caves
  • Diet: Frogs, bats, mice, and birds
  • Average size: 80-150cm
Taiwanese babus snakes of Okinawa -Protobothrops mucrosquamatus
Taiwanese habu

The local government is actively trying to eliminate this invasive habu. Live traps are set up all around the Island. Do not open!

Habu traps on Okinawa
Habu trap

Last night, I saw a Taiwanese habu poking its head out of the sugar cane. There was a dead mouse three feet away on the road. I turned the car around and waited for a few minutes with my lights off. Eventually, a small Taiwanese habu slithered out of the field. I was hoping to see the habu eat the mouse. Instinct kicked in and the snake fled the scene. I returned in the morning, and the mouse was gone.

mice of Okinawa
Dead mouse
Dangerous habu snakes
Taiwanes habu- Onna village

I often find them crossing the road or on sidewalks. It is wise to carry a flashlight on your night walks. The Taiwanese habu is aggressive and highly venomous. If you see one do not try and catch it.

Taiwanese habu- neighborhood at night -Protobothrops mucrosquamatus
Taiwanes habu- Onna village
Taiwanese habu -Onna village, Okinawa
Taiwanese habu -Onna village, Okinawa
Habu snake on a fence
Taiwanes habu- Onna villlage

Okinawa has three species of pit vipers. If you would like to learn more, check out my previous post on the venomous snakes of Okinawa.

This site is also designed to help people identify the beautiful animals of Okinawa, basically to serve as an online nature reference guide. Please consider making a contribution to support my mission

Your donations will help 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

Okinawa Coral snake – Venomous snakes of the Ryukyu Islands by Shawn Miller

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The Okinawa Coral snake (Simomicrurus japonicus boettgeri) is a venomous snake found throughout the Ryukyu Islands. They are difficult to find here on Okinawa and are usually found at night. More effort should be focused on conserving this exotic native snake. This beautiful snake has been overlooked and needs to be protected. It is currently listed near threatened on the IUCN red list of endangered species.

  • Scientific name:  Simomicrurus japonicus boettgeri
  • Local name: Okinawa Coral snake
  • Distribution:  Ryukyu Islands
  • Habitat:  Forests
  • Diet: Small snakes and lizards
  • Average size:  30cm -60cm
  • Color:  Black, orange with a yellow and black belly.

photograph They blend in very well with leaves and broken sticks making them hard to find.

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When threatened the coral snake will coil its tail. This defense mechanism confuses the predator.

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These rare snakes are often found crossing the road at night and sadly I have seen more dead than alive.

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The underside of the snake is quite beautiful as well.

IMG_3074 The Hyan coral snake ( Sinomicrurus japonicus japonicus) is a subspecies we found on Amami Island.  The stripes are less interrupted than the Okinawan coral snake.

FotoJet12

IMG_0764People 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 

Your donations will help 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 

The hunt for the habu – Izena Island

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Izena Island is known for not having any venomous snakes on the Island. I always thought this was impossible since the surrounding islands all have venomous snakes. After five trips we finally found a Habu.

The Princess habu was found resting on a rock above a fresh water source.

The princess habu -

The Princess habu – Photo by David Orr

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Hime habu – Izena Island

Hime habu - Izena Island

Hime habu – Izena Island

Hime habu - Izena Island

Hime habu – Izena Island

The Hime habu was found October 9th 2016 on Izena Island.  It was located at the Izena castle site.

Izena castle

Izena castle -Iphone 6s

A sign at the port welcomes visitors to to the beautiful Island.  It states – no habu on the Island.

Izena Island welcome sign- No Habu

Izena Island welcome sign- No Habu

Be safe exploring the beautiful Islands of Okinawa.

Learn more about the venomous snakes of Okinawa in my previous blog post. https://okinawanaturephotography.com/venomous-snakes-of-okinawa-japan/

 

 

Venomous snakes of Okinawa-Japan

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Okinawa has three species of pit vipers and one coral snake. These venomous snakes are commonly found in the jungle. They are sometimes found in neighborhoods and local parks at nighttime during the summer season. Majority of the snake bites that I am familiar with happened on neighborhood night walks or harvesting sugar cane.  I have seen pit vipers on public roads at night, on sidewalks, crawling on fences, on rock walls, in drainage ditches and inside vending machines.

Habu in vending machine

Drink machine – Photo by Leia Heider

The Okinawan Habu is the largest and most venomous pit viper found on Okinawa.

  • Scientific name: Protothrops flavoviridis
  • Common name: Okinawan or golden habu
  • Habitat: Rock walls, caves, tree lines, parks, farming fields and near fresh water
  • Diet: Mice, rats, shrews, bats, and birds
  • Average size: 100-200cm
Okinawan Habu (Trimeresurus flavoviridis)

Okinawan Habu (Trimeresurus flavoviridis)

Fangs of the Okinawan Habu

Fangs of the Okinawan Habu

Okinawan habu -Northern Okinawa

Okinawan habu -Northern Okinawa

Okinawan Habu on a fence

Okinawan Habu on a fence -WAM perspective

Okinawan Habu- MYN field studio technique

Okinawan Habu- MYN field studio technique

The silver habu is scarce on Okinawa. I have only found one live specimen. I didn’t realize what I found until I viewed the images on the computer,

Iphone snapshot

Silver habu

Silver habu- eyes of silver

Silver habu- eyes of silver

Albino Habus are worshiped in Okinawa.

Albino Habu snake

Albino Habu snake

Okinawa is famous for its Habu Sake. They say it helps with sexual dysfunction in men.

Habu sake - Trimeresurus flavoviridis

Habu sake – Trimeresurus flavoviridis

The Taiwanese Habu was introduced to Okinawa in the 1970’s. They were imported for exhibitions and medical purposes. Somehow a few escaped and have populated the Island.  I have seen over a dozen on my night hikes near Ryukyu Mura in Onna village.

  • Scientific name: Protothrops mucrosquamatus
  • Common name: Taiwanese habu or Brown spotted pit viper
  • Habitat: Rock walls, trees, and caves
  • Diet: Frogs, bats, mice, and birds
  • Average size: 80-150cm
Taiwanes habu- Onna village

Taiwanes habu- Onna village.  Ready to strike!

Taiwanese habu-

Taiwanese habu- patiently waiting for a frog

Taiwanese habu -Onna village, Okinawa

Taiwanese habu -Onna village, Okinawa

Taiwanese habu- neighborhood at night

Taiwanese habu- neighborhood at night

The Princess habu is the most common venomous snake on Okinawa. It is the smallest of the pit vipers found here.

  • Scientific name: Ovophis okinavensis
  • Common name: Princess habu or Hime habu
  • Habitat: Rivers, ponds, creeks and runoff ditches.
  • Diet: Mainly frogs
  • Average size: 40-80cm
Princess habu -Yanbaru

Princess habu -Yanbaru forest

Large Princes habu- Yanbaru

Large Princes habu- Yanbaru

Golden Hime habu

Golden Hime habu

Princess habu -MYN technique

Princess habu -MYN technique

Princess Habu- Stella 2000

Princess Habu- Stella 2000

Princess habu - Northern Okinawa

Princess habu – Northern Okinawa

The Okinawan coral snake is extremely rare.  I have only seen two specimens

    • Scientific name: Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri
    • Common name: Okinawan coral snake
    • Habitat: Forest areas in northern Okinawa
    • Diet: blind snakes and small lizards
  • Average size: 30-60cm

photograph

Ways to avoid injury!

  • Avoid catching or handling venomous snakes
  • Wear exposure protection, such as snake boots when exploring the forest at night.
  • Bring a flashlight on night walks in the neighborhood

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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 below.

Your donations will help worldwide conservation initiatives as well as bringing solutions to the worldwide pollution issues on our beautiful shorelines.  Thank you for your support. Shawn M Miller.