Namiye’s Frog

Namiye’s Frog
English Common Name
Namiye’s Frog
Scientific name
Limnonectes namiyei
Taxonomy
Order: Anura, Family: Dicroglossidae
Size
10 – 13 cm
Species Distribution
Northern part of Okinawa Island
Okinawan Common Name
Waku bichi, Mijiwaku bichi
Okinawa Prefecture Natural Monument
National Endangered Species
Okinawa Red List of Threatened Species: Endangered
Japan Red List of Threatened Species: Endangered
The body structure looks different from general frogs due to thick arms, legs, and thick body. This species is found in rivers and streams in forests. Both larvae and adults are found in the water feeding on freshwater crab and shrimp. It is said that the species eats food with gravel as feces contain many rocks. As a nocturnal animal, it stays in between cracks of rocks or holes on the bank during daytime. Between April and August (breeding season), it lays eggs in shallow water with mud. Its larva has characteristic white parts on both sides of the mouth. Once captured as food in the past, this species is protected as a National Monument of Okinawa today.

※Please note!
Limnonectes namiyei is a national endangered species and Okinawa Prefecture Natural Monument. Please refer to the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and Japan’s law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.
Updated June 2017

back to "Movies of Okinawa creatures" page