Posted by:
TxHerper
at Thu Sep 8 21:57:53 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by TxHerper ]
It was a pretty busy trip this time; I was only able to fit in one evening of road-cruising on Okinawa, and one morning of field herping in northern Kyushuu. I wish I’d have had more time, but considering the circumstances, the herping was pretty good.
The first herp venture was on Okinawa. Okinawa is part of the Japanese archipelago, but a lot of the flora and fauna have Taiwan / eastern China influence.
I met up with Nick Wray for an evening of road-cruising.
We were dealing with the outer bands of a typhoon that passed about 100 miles to the south of the island. The wind was holding steady at ~30 mph (plus some considerable gusts), and I was wondering if we would see any herps. The bands of rain were inconsistent, but where there was rain, there were frogs:
White-lipped Tree Frog (Polypedates l. leucomystax). Polypedates is an introduced species.
Ryukyu Kajika Frog (Buergeria japonica).
Okinawa Tip-nosed Frog (Rana narina).
And my favorite:
Okinawa Green Tree Frog (Rhacophorus v. viridis).
Here’s a larger one:
We did find some snakes:
Akamata (Dinodon semicarinatum). Akamata are the most commonly encountered snake. We found 3 that night. Here’s a picture of Nick holding the snake:
I was really hoping to see a Okinawa Ground Gecko (Goniurosaurus kuroiwae); and I saw a big one. Unfortunately, my road-cruising eyes were weary due to all the debris on the road, and by the time I ran back to find it, it was gone. Damn!
These were the only Habu I was able to see:
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Okinawa Habu (Trimeresurus flavoviridis). Habu sake (pronounced sa-kay, not sa-key) is often seen for sale on Okinawa, and it’s not cheap. The larger jar is about two gallons, and the price is $1,275. Sakishima Habu (Trimeresurus elegans) are also used.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v465/Shane_OK/2.jpg
Smoked sea snakes are used to make soup:
And these toads apparently make good purses:
Marine Toad (Bufo marinus)?? B.marinus have been introduced to several of the smaller islands. Hopefully they stay off of Okinawa.
After Okinawa, I returned to Kyushuu. The dog days of summer are just as difficult in Japan as they are here in the states. Luckily, my herping opportunity fell on an overcast morning. I started the morning by walking the rice paddies.
The first find was this:
Melanistic Japanese Four-lined Rat Snake (Elaphe quadrivirgata).
Here’s a normal Japanese Four-lined Rat Snake:
Elaphe quadrivirgata are very Coluber-like.
These guys are well established in much of Japan:
The worldly Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).
After the sun burned its way through the clouds, I made my way up into the mountains.
These frogs are a frequent sight in forested areas:
Mountain Brown Frog (Rana ornativentris).
I’m not sure what this little guy is:
It’s either a Hylid or Rhacophorid.
While in the mountains, I was searching for a snake that eluded me on the last trip. After wandering about in the forest, checking various microhabitats, my herping time was just about up. With only about 30 minutes left, I decided I should start flipping some rocks for Hynobid salamanders. I was working my way up a small stream, and after about five minutes of flipping rocks, I looked ahead, and I was greeted by this sight, in situ:
I wish the pic would have turned out better. The patch of sunlight and the snake's coloration just jumped right out at me. Target found.
Japanese Mamushi (Gloydius blomhoffii).
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Here’s a habitat shot:
That was a nice way to finish out my herping time.
Shane
For anyone interested in Japanese herps, here’s a link:
http://homepage3.nifty.com/japrep/englishtop.htm
There’s also a English field guide:
“Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Japan.” Richard C. Goris and Norio Maeda. Kreiger Publishing, 2005.
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Japan part III...a few days ago.... - TxHerper, Thu Sep 8 21:57:53 2005
