Ryukyu Odd-toothed Snake (Lycodon semicarinatus) アカマタ (size 180cm)
I don’t like the English name for this snake, so I call it the Akamata (アカマタ). The Akamata is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands. It is a long skinny snake with black, red and yellow markings. Amami 2024
An Akamata on the beach. They are mainly nocturnal, and I think that this one was heading a place to rest for the day. The cinder blocks give you an idea of the length of the snake. They mainly eat frogs, lizards, and other snakes. They are known to eat Habu which are very venomous.
Another thing that the Akamata likes to eat is baby sea turtles. This must be a seasonal treat since they are only available in the summer hatching season. This one has one in its mouth and at least two bulges from other turtles in it. I dug 21 baby turtles that ran to the ocean from this nest. They may have been stragglers that wouldn’t have made it if the snake hadn’t pointed them out. I saw this snake digging in this nest for about a week in the mornings. I found 2 turtles on this day but that was the last of the turtles from this nest that I am aware of.
See the “Turtle Project Report” in the news section for more on sea turtles and Akamata.