Japan, one of the richest Asian countries in terms of its culture, history and traditions, also presents an amazing fauna. Animals of all groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish), inhabit the great Japanese archipelago. In addition to its four main islands, Japan has more than 6,000 small islands, where its fauna appears as one of the main charms of the country of the rising sun.
Being an elongated archipelago that stretches from north to south along the east coast of Asia, it has different climates, from the sub-arctic region of Hokkaido to the subtropical islands of Nansei. In the winter there are snowfalls and heavy rains in the central mountain range, while in the summer typhoons are common. All this allows the development of ecosystems and that there is a great variety of plants and japan animals.In this Green Ecologist article you will discover the names and characteristics of +10 Japanese animals.
Japanese black bear
We start the list of japanese animals with the spectacular Japanese black bearUrsus thibetanus japonicus), which receives its common name due to its dense black fur.
It is the largest land animal that we can find in Japan, reaching two meters in height and weighing about 400 kilos. It lives exclusively on the island of Hokkaido. Its diet is omnivorous, although it mainly eats nuts and berries.
Tanuki, one of the best known Japanese animals
Locally known as tanuki or fortune raccoon dogNyctereutes procyonoides), It is a carnivorous animal belonging to the dog family, although its appearance is similar to that of a raccoon. It lives in small groups, they rarely appear alone, and it is the only animal of this family (canids) that hibernates during the winter months (although its body temperature does not drop). It lives mainly in swampy areas with few trees.
It is one of the animals most respected by the local population, considering them as mythological animals of japan protectors of the supernatural and carriers of fortune.
Iriomote Cat
Among the Japanese animals and within the group of felines, the Iriomote cat stands out (Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis), an endemic species of the island of Iriomote, whose habitat is considered the smallest of all the wild cat species that inhabit the planet. A subtropical climate predominates on the island, in whose forests and wetlands the iriomote cat.
At present it is considered a living fossil, since its anatomy hardly differs from that which it presented in its most primitive form.
Image: Perrosygatosmiryam
Japanese macaque, another of the most famous animals of Japan
Also know as red-faced macaque, the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) is the only primate that inhabits the cold regions of the Japanese archipelago. These macaques are known worldwide for their habits of relaxing baths in the hot springs found in the mountains and sub-alpine deciduous forests, as well as in the coastal areas of a large number of Japanese islands. Its diet is omnivorous and currently lacks predators.
Sika
The Sika or sica deer (Cervus nippon)It is one of the most widespread deer in East Asia, inhabiting the forests of Siberia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Japan. It is medium in size and its antlers are highly developed, with white spots all over its body, dominated by a reddish fur.
The Sika are revered by the traditional local populations of Japan, being considered as japanese mythological animals that represent protective gods of nature.
Giant flying squirrel
Among the only two species of flying squirrels that inhabit the Old World, we find in Japan the giant flying squirrelPetaurista leucogenys). This species is the largest of all the squirrels in the world, reaching almost a meter in length (50 centimeters in body size plus 40 centimeters in the tail).
The flying quality is attributed to it due to its ability to glide, spreading the membranes between its legs like a parachute.
Learn more about What are flying mammals, their characteristics, names and photos with this other post.
Image: Pinterest
Ogasawara Bat
Commonly known as Ogasawara bat (Pteropus pselaphon)It is a species within the group of bats that is endemic to these islands of the Japanese archipelago.
Its habitat includes the temperate and subtropical zones of the Ogasawara Islands, as well as the arid forests that are found there. Its diet includes numerous plants and mainly fruits (frugivorous diet).
Discover more information about What are the characteristics of bats with this other article by Green Ecologist.
Image: Alchetron
Japanese Serau
Between the japanese animals Within the group of cattle that inhabit the Japanese islands, the serau (Capricornis crispus). It is a species related to the goats. They are small in size and their antlers are very small. Its fur is gray and very dense, which helps the serau to survive during the cold winters of the sub-arctic regions of the Japanese archipelago where it lives.
Green pheasant
Among the most emblematic animals of Japan appears the green pheasantPhasianus versicolor). East bird is endemic to Japan and, therefore, it is considered the national bird.
It presents sexual dimorphism, that is, males and females are clearly differentiated by the color of their plumage and morphology. Males are large and robust, with brightly colored feathers (green and blue on the body, gray and brown on the tail); while the females are smaller and their plumage is mainly brown and gray.
Onagadori
Without a doubt, among the most surprising birds that inhabit Japan, appears the Onagadori, a kind of domestic rooster (Gallus gallus domesticus). Is japanese rooster breed is known for how extremely long his tail is (It reaches more than a meter and a half in length). In 1952, the Onagadori was named as a Special National Treasure of the country, and can be found today as a domestic and ornamental animal in many Japanese farms.
Image: Gallinaponedora
Japanese salamander
The family of amphibians known as Hynobiidae, includes many different genera and species of salamanders that inhabit the humid regions of the Japanese archipelago. Between the endemic salamander species of Japan Sato's eastern salamander (Hynobius abei), the nebulous salamander of Japan (Hynobius nebulosus) and the Japanese clawed salamander (Onychodactylus japonicus).
Image: Iucnredlist
Koi, one of the best known aquatic Japanese animals
We could not finish this article on japanese animals without naming the koi, the country's iconic fish. Although the species, Cyprinus carpio It is native to Europe (known as European common carp), koi, with bright orange colors, are genetic varieties of these carp, which came to Japan through China.
They are very resistant fish that live in brackish waters. In Japan there is a whole culture around koi, used as ornamentation in artificial lakes of different types of Japanese gardens, parks and other public places.
If you want to read more articles similar to +10 Japanese animals, we recommend that you enter our Wild Animals category.
Bibliography- E.Wilson & M. DeeAnn (2005) Ursus thibetanus japonicus. Mammal Species of the World. Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Third edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore; Vol 2: 2142.
- V. Millien-Parra et. al, (1999) Islan biogeography of the Japanese terrestrial mammal assemblages: an example of relict fauna. Wiley Online Library.
- Taylor, J., R. Mahon. 1977. Hybridization of Cyprinus carpio and Carassius auratus, the first two exotic species in the lower Laurentian Great Lakes. Environmental Biology Of Fishes 1(2):205-208.
- R. Tadano, M. Nishibori, M. Tsudzuki (2009). Genetic structure and differentiation of the Japanese extremely long-tailed chicken breed (Onagadori), associated with plumage color variation: suggestions for its management and conservation. Animal Genetics 40 (6): 989-992.
