Amami Rabbit
Grows to about 41-51 cm and weighs 1.3-2.7 kg. A species endemic to Japan, found only on Amami Oshima and Tokunoshima, and often called a "living fossil" for retaining…
CREATURES / HIGHLIGHTS
Signature Wildlife of Amami Oshima
From the Amami Rabbit to a host of other distinctive creatures found only on this island — the forests of Amami Oshima at night hold a richer ecosystem than could ever be fully captured here.
ABOUT
Amami Oshima's Signature Endemic Species
Having been separated from the continent for a very long time, Amami Oshima has nurtured creatures found nowhere else in the world. Among them, the Amami Rabbit and Lidth's Jay are especially well known as symbols of the island.
The Amami City Biodiversity Regional Strategy also names the Amami Rabbit, Amami Ishikawa's Frog, and Lidth's Jay among the island's representative endemic species.
What's introduced here is only a small part of the whole. Amami Oshima's night forests are home to many more creatures still — snakes, frogs, stag beetles, and much more.
A Request for Observers
Many of Amami's creatures are designated Natural Monuments or Nationally Rare Wild Species, and their capture or collection is prohibited by law. Please enjoy observing them quietly, and capture the moment in a photograph instead.
MEET THE ICONS
Meet the Icons of Amami
Click a photo or name to see that species' full page.
Ryukyu Long-haired Rat
Body length 22-33 cm, tail length 25-35 cm. Japan's largest rat, found only on Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and the northern part of Okinawa Island, with long bristle-like…
Lidth's Jay
About 38 cm long. A species endemic to Japan found only on Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, and Uke-jima, beautiful with its azure-blue head, wings, and tail, reddish-brown…
Owston's Woodpecker
About 28 cm long, a medium-sized woodpecker. An endemic subspecies found only on Amami Oshima; the upper body is almost entirely black with white spots, and the…
Amami Woodcock
About 35-36 cm long. A species endemic to Japan found only in the Amami and Okinawa island groups, with breeding confirmed on Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Uke-jima…
Amami Ishikawa's Frog
Grows to about 7.4-13.7 cm. Breeds from late February through around June. Lives along the gentle headwater streams of mountain areas.
EXPLORE MORE
See More Creatures
Pick a category to see more of Amami Oshima's wildlife.
NIGHT FIELD TOUR
Walk Amami's Night Forest
Join a guide and search for wildlife together in the night forest.
See night tour details and pricing →