Japan

Recent Hatchlings

Recent Hatchlings

This past month saw some unique species hatch at our Conservation Center. Two Oaxaca Wood Turtles, a species from southwestern Mexico, hatched naturally inside of their enclosure. And three Ryukyu Black-breasted Leaf Turtles, a small forest dwelling species found on the southern Japanese Islands of Okinawa, Kumejima and Tokashiki, joined our population of turtles and tortoises living within our temperate greenhouse.

In Search of the Ryukyu Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle

In Search of the Ryukyu Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle

Last May, a Turtle Conservancy team went into the field in southern Japan to observe the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle (Geoemyda japonica). This small turtle is endemic to the Ryukyu archipelago, and was designated as a natural monument by the prefecture of Okinawa in 1973…

Species Highlight

Species Highlight

The Okinawa Leaf Turtle is a cryptic species, with a highly colorful red to yellow pattern. This turtle has been highly desired by collectors, but at the same time scientist didn’t know a lot about this animal…