Exhibited for the first time at Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium! The Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle and the Anderson's crocodile newt are both a National Natural Monument of Japan and are exhibited at the Ryukyu Arc Riverside corner!

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is pleased to announce the exhibition of the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle and the Anderson's crocodile newt.

≪リュウキュウヤマガメ≫
Scientific name: Geoemyda japonica
English name: Okinawa black-breasted leaf turtle

This turtle is endemic to Okinawa Prefecture and only inhabits Okinawa Main Island, Kume Island and Tokashiki Island. Its shell is an elongated dome and may be mistaken for a fallen leaf. It inhabits forests or near mountain streams. It feeds on earthworms and terrestrial snails. It is designated as a National Natural Monument of Japan and an Endangered species by the Ministry of Environment under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), and protected by several laws.

≪オキナワイボイモリ≫
Scientific name: Echinotriton andersoni
English name: Anderson's crocodile newt

In 2022, the populations of this species on Amami Island and Tokuno Island were reclassified as a different species to those on Okinawa Main Island. The newts on Okinawa Main Island are called Anderson's crocodile newt (Okinawa iboimori in Japanese). The protruding knobs on its back are transformed ribs. Compared to a sword-tail newt that also inhabits Okinawa, it is more adapted to living on land.
Okinawa Prefecture has designated Anderson's crocodile newt as a Natural Monument and the Ministry of the Environment has designated it Endangered.

Both of these species are endemic to Okinawa. They are subject to the Ministry of the Environment’s “Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” which prohibits capturing and rearing of these species (Our facility was certified to rear them on April 11th, 2022). At the request of the Ministry of Environment, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium was given special permission to rear individuals that were rescued in Okinawa or bred at other facilities.

The individuals are exhibited at the Ryukyu Arc Riverside, a terrarium that recreates its natural habitat.
Please take the opportunity to see these rare species that can only be found in Okinawa.
View of the terrarium