Animals Living in Tokunoshima
Animals of Tokunoshima:
A: Forest along the valleyA1:
Accessible forest
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Passeriformes / Family: MuscicapidaeRyukyu robin
It feeds on worms and insect larvae. In the diorama, a female appears to be searching for food.
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Anura / Family: MicrohylidaeOkinawa narrow-mouthed toad
It has a large, well-developed vocal sac in its throat, allowing it to produce loud calls of “gee-ko” and “griiih.” In the diorama, a male can be seen trying to entice females.
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Anura / Family: RhacophoridaeAmami green tree frog
During the breeding season, males sing beautifully with a call like "kya-raaah." In the diorama, a male is singing in an attempt to attract a female.
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Orthoptera / Family: EneopteridaeCardiodactylus guttulus
It lives on grasses and trees, feeding on their leaves. In the diorama, it appears to be clinging to a tree root.
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Coleoptera / Family: LucanidaeDorcus metacostatus
It is nocturnal, gathering around the sap of Castanopsis, oaks, Mallotus japonicus, and other trees, and is also attracted to light. In the diorama, it can be seen around the sap.
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Stylommatophora / Family: CamaenidaeSatsuma tokunoshimana
It is fairly common and found from the outskirts of settlements to deep forests. In the diorama, it can be seen creeping along a leaf.
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Anura / Family: RanidaeAmami tip-nosed frog
In Tokunoshima, it thrives in a wide range of habitats, from accessible secondary forests to deep mountain forests, feeding mainly on ground-dwelling insects. In the diorama, it appears to be feeding on a cricket species, Cardiodactylus guttulus.
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Passeriformes / Family: PycnonotidaeBrown-eared bulbul
It calls to one another with well-projected "kwee" and "pee-oo" sounds. In the diorama, it also appears to be singing actively.
Animals of Tokunoshima:
A: Forest along the valleyA2:
Forest along the mountain stream
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Coraciiformes / Family: AlcedinidaeRuddy kingfisher
It captures and eats small creatures such as crabs, lizards, frogs, earthworms, insects, centipedes, and fish. In the diorama, it appears to be targeting something at the waterside.
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Squamata / Family: ColubridaeRyukyu odd-tooth snake
It preys on a wide range of creatures, primarily reptiles like lizards and snakes, but also other vertebrates including fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals. In the diorama, it can be seen swallowing a habu viper.
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Anura / Family: RanidaeAmami tip-nosed frog
In Tokunoshima, the breeding season occurs from late December to early January, when they gather simultaneously in calm pools of fast-flowing streams to spawn. In the diorama, a pair in a mating embrace and calling males can also be observed.
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Squamata / Family: ViperidaeHime habu viper
While it preys on a variety of vertebrates, including fish, frogs play a particularly important role in its diet. In the diorama, it seems to be targeting an Amami tip-nosed frog.
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Anura / Family: RanidaeAmami brown frog
Peaking from November to January, it spawns in calm pools of streams and puddles. In the diorama, they can be seen gathering for breeding.
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Squamata / Family: ColubridaePryer’s keelback snake
Favoring frogs, it also feeds on frogspawn and tadpoles. In the diorama, it appears to have come to the stream in search of frogs.
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Perciformes / Family: GobiidaeRhinogobius sp.
Although it primarily feeds on aquatic insects, it is also thought to consume attached algae. In the diorama, it can be seen ambushing its prey.
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Odonata / Family: RhipidolestidaeRhipidolestes amamiensis tokunoshimensis
Males establish territories and wait for females to arrive for mating. During territorial disputes, they exhibit a behavior of displaying their red legs. In the diorama, you can observe a mating pair.
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Odonata / Family: PlatycnemididaeCoeliccia ryukyuensis amamii
As seen in the diorama, during spawning, males remain connected in a tandem position, standing upright to guard females from other males.
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Odonata / Family: CalopterygidaeMatrona japonica
Males claim territories and perch on waterside plants, waiting for females. In the diorama as well, a male can be seen awaiting a potential mate.
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Odonata / Family: AeshnidaeAeschnophlebia milnei naica
Active at dawn and dusk, it rests hanging from tree twigs during the day. In the diorama, a male can also be seen resting.
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Odonata / Family: ChlorogomphidaeChlorogomphus brunneus costalis
Females lay eggs in headstreams. In the diorama, a female can be observed hanging from a twig..
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Coleoptera / Family: GyrinidaeDineutus mellyi insularis
Gliding along the water surface, it dives underwater when sensing danger. In the diorama, it can be seen actively skimming around.
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Araneae / Family: PisauridaeOkinawan fishing spider
It captures fish and tadpoles by sensing vibrations in the water. In the diorama, it can be seen lying in wait for its prey, with its legs extended across the water's surface.
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Decapoda / Family: PotamidaeAmamiku amamensis
Freshwater crabs spend their larval stage within the egg, hatching in a form already resembling adults. In the diorama, it can be observed carrying eggs beneath its body.
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Decapoda / Family: PotamidaeGeothelphusa obtusipes
It dwells beneath stones or in burrows dug at the bottom of streams. Rarely venturing onto land, this freshwater crab is one of the most elusive on the island. Yet in the diorama, it can be observed in the water.
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Decapoda / Family: PotamidaeGeothelphusa sakamotoana
As an omnivore, it feeds on insects, earthworms, and fallen leaves. In the diorama, it appears to be eating an acorn.
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Cetartiodactyla / Family: SuidaeRyukyu wild boar
This omnivore feeds on plants like seeds and fruits, as well as animals such as insects, reptiles, amphibians, and rodents. In the diorama, a mother and her young seem to have come to the stream in search of crabs.
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Passeriformes / Family: ZosteropidaeZosterops japonicus loochooensis
It primarily feeds on insects, spiders, fruits, and nectar while perched in trees. It can also be seen near settlements, and when cherry blossoms are in bloom, flocks of them are often observed sipping nectar. In the diorama, it perches on a twig.
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Squamata / Family: EublepharidaeBanded ground gecko
It wanders on the ground at night, feeding on worms and insects. In the diorama, it appears to be searching for its prey.
Animals of Tokunoshima:
A: Forest along the valleyA3:
Deep forest
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Rodentia / Family: MuridaeTokunoshima spiny rat
Renowned for its jumping ability, this rat moves in a hopping manner with both legs together. As seen in the diorama, it jumps to evade attacks from habu vipers.
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Squamata / Family: ViperidaeHabu viper
While young, it primarily feeds on amphibians and reptiles like frogs and lizards; as it grows, it begins to favor mammals such as rats. In the diorama, it is poised to attack the Tokunoshima spiny rat.
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Urodela / Family: SalamandridaeRaffaëlli's spiny crocodile newt
It feeds on earthworms, flatheaded worms, snails, slugs, beetles, and millipedes. In the diorama, it is trying to intimidate by expanding its ribs.
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Blattodea / Family: PolyphagidaeEucorydia tokaraensis
Adult males are rarely spotted resting on tree leaves. In the diorama, you can also find a male on a leaf.
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Coleoptera / Family: LucanidaeDorcus amamianus kubotai
It is attracted to sap and lights. In the diorama, it can be observed clinging to the Quercus miyagii.
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Stylommatophora / Family: BradybaenidaeAegista kiusiuensis tokunovaga
Although rarely seen in the wild, in the diorama, it can be observed creeping along the buttress root of the Quercus miyagii.
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Stylommatophora / Family: ClausliidaeStereophaedusa caudata
This species is rarely seen, but when it is, it is mainly found on tree trunks. In the diorama, it can be observed actively moving.
Animals of Tokunoshima:
B: Forest along the mountain ridgeB1:
Forest near the settlement
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Accipitriformes / Family: AccipitridaeGray-faced buzzard
It is a migratory bird that visits Tokunoshima in autumn. In the diorama, you can see it soaring in the sky.
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Charadriiformes / Family: ScolopacidaeAmami woodcock
It feeds on earthworms and insects from the soil, roaming in search of prey. In the diorama, it’s hunting for its favorite worms.
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Strigiformes / Family: StrigidaeRyukyu scops owl
A small but skilled hunter with silent wings, superb vision, and long, sharp talons. In the diorama, it seems that it has just caught an insect again.
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Cypriniformes / Family: CobitidaeMisgurnus amamianus
Loaches are known to have an auxiliary form of breathing called intestinal respiration, in addition to gill breathing. In the diorama, bubbles can be seen emerging from its vent.
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Hemiptera / Family: CicadidaeGraptopsaltria bimaculata
Cicadas produce sounds by vibrating their abdomen with tymbal muscles, amplifying the sound in its cavity. In the diorama, you can observe it buzzing energetically.
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Hemiptera / Family: ScutelleridaeCantao ocellatus
Perhaps as a strategy against predators, they are often seen gathering together. In the diorama, they are congregating on Heptapleurum heptaphyllum leaves.
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Coleoptera / Family: CarabidaeSophiodela ferriei
In the diorama, it rests on a leaf at night.
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Coleoptera / Family: LucanidaeProsopocoilus dissimilis makinoi
Being nocturnal, it gathers around the sap of Castanopsis, Tabunoki camphor tree, and other trees, and is also drawn to light. In the diorama, it clings to the Castanopsis trunk.
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Coleoptera / Family: LucanidaeDorcus titanus tokunoshimaensis
Mostly active after dark, it feeds on the sap of Castanopsis, oaks, Mallotus japonicus, and other trees, and is also attracted to light. In the diorama, it is seen feeding on the sap.
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Coleoptera / Family: LucanidaeDorcus japonicus
Although attracted to light, it primarily roams the ground. In the diorama, it seems to be wandering over a decaying log.
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Coleoptera / Family: CerambycidaeAnoplophora oshimana tokunoshimana
Active during the day, it is often seen resting on trees. In the diorama, it can be observed on a tree trunk.
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Squamata / Family: LacertidaeGreen grass lizard
As an excellent climber, it moves around three-dimensionally. In the diorama, it is basking on a leaf.
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Coleoptera / Family: DytiscidaeCybister rugosus
Fiercely carnivorous, it preys on various aquatic animals and scavenges on carrion. In the diorama, it seems to have just caught a dragonfly nymph.
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Decapoda / Family: PalaemonidaeMonkey river prawn
In the diorama, it looks like it's searching for food along the pond's bottom.
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Decapoda / Family: PalaemonidaeMacrobrachium japonicum
In the diorama, it is ambushing its prey at the bottom of the water.
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Decapoda / Family: AtyidaeAmano shrimp
In the diorama, it seems to be feeding on algae at the bottom of the pond.
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Araneae / Family: NephilidaeNephila pilipes
It spins large webs, 1 to 1.5 m in diameter, between trees, buildings, and other structures, trapping insects and occasionally even birds. In the diorama, it is waiting for its prey to get caught in the web.
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Stylommatophora / Family: PhilomycidaeMeghimatium fruhstorferi
It is commonly found in Tokunoshima's forests. In the diorama, it is feeding on something on a tree trunk.
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Passeriformes / Family: MotacillidaeGrey wagtail
Constantly flicking its tail up and down, it often scurries along the water's edge, feeding on aquatic insects and occasionally catching flying insects mid-air. In the diorama, it seems to be searching for prey.
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Passeriformes / Family: CettiidaeJapanese bush warbler
It is an omnivore, feeding on a range of foods, including insects and fruits. In the diorama, it appears to be foraging for food.
Animals of Tokunoshima:
B: Forest along the mountain ridgeB2:
Deep forest
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Lagomorpha / Family: LeporidaeAmami rabbit
As a herbivore, it feeds on grass sprouts, fruits, and bark. It has a habit of defecating in open areas. In the diorama, an adult rabbit is seen defecating while its young is feeding on fallen leaves.
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Rodentia / Family: MuridaeRyukyu long-furred rat
In the diorama, it is dining on a pine cone. Its young can also be seen.
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Chiroptera / Family: VespertilionidaeRyukyu tube-nosed bat
It utilizes the withered leaves of trees with large, radiating leaves as its roost. In the diorama, it can be seen nestled among leaves of Heptapleurum heptaphyllum.
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Columbiformes / Family: ColumbidaeWhistling green pigeon
They are often seen in pairs. In the diorama, two of them are resting closely together.
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Squamata / Family: GekkonidaeGekko vertebralis
It has a structure called adhesive pads on its toes, enabling it to move freely along vertical surfaces. In the diorama, it can be seen clinging to a tree trunk.
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Squamata / Family: AgamidaeOkinawa tree lizard
In the diorama, it is performing a push-up-like movement known as "head bobbing." This behavior can be observed in various contexts, such as courtship and intimidation.
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Squamata / Family: EublepharidaeBanded ground gecko
It wanders on the ground at night, feeding on worms and insects. In the diorama, it appears to be searching for its prey.
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Squamata / Family: ColubridaeRyukyu green snake
It primarily feeds on earthworms, with occasional frogs. In the diorama, it appears to be targeting a large worm.
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Squamata / Family: ElapidaeAmami coral snake
Although nocturnal, it sometimes can be found during the day. In the diorama, you can see it slithering on the ground, even though it is seldom observed.
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Thelyphonida /Family: ThelyphonidaeAmami whipscorpion
Upon encountering a threat, it opens its pincers widely, raises its whip-like tail high, and ejects a liquid containing acetic acid. In the diorama, it is displaying an intimidating posture.
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Blattodea / Family: BlaberidaeSalganea taiwanensis ryukyuanus
In the diorama, a male and a female are feeding on each other's wings. The significance of this behavior, reported in 2021, remains unknown, and further research is ongoing.
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Hemiptera / Family: CicadidaeMeimuna oshimensis
After the introductory sounds of "Juu-Jii-Waa, Jii-Waa...", it produces a high-pitched "Kan, Kan, Kan..." reminiscent of a bell. In the diorama, it appears to be singing energetically.
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Coleoptera / Family: LucanidaeRhaetulus recticornis
It is nocturnal, gathering around sap oozing from branches of trees like Castanopsis and Mallotus japonicus, and is also attracted to light. In the diorama, despite its rarity, it can be seen near the sap.
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Coleoptera / Family: LucanidaeNeolucanus protogenetivus protogenetivus
Males tend to emerge earlier and wait for females to emerge so they can mate. In the diorama, you can observe a male waiting on a trunk for a female.
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Coleoptera / Family: GeotrupidaePhelotrupes oshimanus yukiae
As a dung beetle, it gathers around the feces of Ryukyu wild boars and Amami rabbits, as well as animal carrion. In the diorama, it can be seen feeding on the feces of the Amami rabbit.
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Araneae / Family: LiphistiidaeHeptathela kanenoi
It dwells in a burrow dug into the ground, waiting for prey to pass by keeping the door ajar at the entrance. In the diorama, it appears to have just caught its prey.
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Squamata / Family: XenodermatidaeAmami odd-scaled snake
It mainly feeds on earthworms. Although being a rare sight on Tokunoshima, in the diorama, you can spot one emerging onto the ground.
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Passeriformes / Family: TurdidaePale thrush
Foraging along the ground, it feeds on earthworms, insects, and fruits. In the diorama, it appears to have just found a worm.
Animals of Tokunoshima:
B: Forest along the mountain ridgeB3:
Forest near the mountain peak
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Columbiformes / Family: ColumbidaeJapanese wood pigeon
During the breeding season, males produce low, cow-like growling sounds of "Grrruuuu…," which gave rise to its local name meaning "cow dove." In the diorama, it can be observed flying within the forest.
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Passeriformes / Family: MonarchidaeJapanese paradise flycatcher
Its Japanese name, Sanko-cho (meaning "bird of three lights"), comes from its song, which sounds like "tsuki (moon), hi (sun), hoshi (star)," followed by a "hoi-hoi-hoi" call. Although rarely seen, in the diorama, a young male can be observed singing.
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Coleoptera / Family: ScarabaeidaeCopris brachypterus toguchii
As a dung beetle, it primarily feeds on the feces of the Amami rabbit. It buries feces in holes it digs and also carries them to eat later. In the diorama, it is attracted to the feces of an Amami rabbit.
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Stylommatophora / Family: CamaenidaeMoellendorffia tokunoensis
It is commonly found on decaying logs. In the diorama as well, it is creeping along a fallen log.