2018/09/10 18:00
[ Photo by Hiroki ITO / Mizukama Photo Library (CC License) ]
Iriomote wild cat
A subspecies of the leopard cat that was found on Iriomote island in 1965, they are 1 of only 2 wild cat species in Japan.
They weigh an average of 3.5~5kg, not so different from domestic house cats. Like most feline species they live mainly on land, but they can swim and dive for a short time when hunting for food!
Their average life span is 2~9 years, but a rescued male that lived in Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Centre lived for over 15years and is known as the oldest individual!
1971 became a Natural Monument of Japan, 1977 became a Special Natural Monument of Japan.
- habitat destruction
- car accidents, human conflict
IUCN: CR (Min. of Env. red list: CR)
https://www.arkive.org/stoat/mustela-erminea/image-A14222.html
Stoat
They are adorable small mammals with short legs and a long body. Throughout the year they have white fur from their jaws to the belly and black fur on the tip of the tail. However, the rest of their fur changes colour from brown in the summer to white in the winter!
They used to inhabit widely across Hokkaido, but today they are only found on higher mountainous grounds.
IUCN: NT (Min. of Env. red list: same)
Ezo Chipmunk
Chipmunks are one of many popular exotic pets these days, but these guys are not the wild Ezo species but the imported subspecies.
Chipmunks are famous for their cute 5 dark lines along their back! In the winter they store food in their nest and hibernate through the winter. However, because they cannot store enough fat and nutrition for the whole winter, they will wake up once in a while to eat.
IUCN: LC (Min. of Env. red list: data deficient)
Even in such a small country there are so many unique species, a proof that we have a diverse environment.
Maintaining the biodiversity and the quality of the environment is very important in coexisting with all the beautiful species!
