For a period of 5 years beginning with 1959, the feeding habits in the wild of the “Hime-Habu” (Trimeresnrus okinavensis) on the Amami Islands were studied, with the following results:
1) The animals fed on were vertebrates of 7 families, 9 genera, 12 species. They were divided as follows: Mammals-2 families, 2 genera, 2 species; Birds-1 family, 1 genus, 1 species; Reptiles-1 family, 3 genera, 3 species; Amphibians-3 families, 3 genera, 6 species.
2) Of the animals in 1), 10 species were recorded for the first time.
3) A total of 31 animals were recorded of which 61.3% were amphibians, 19.4% reptiles, 16.1% mammals, and 3.2% birds.
Of the total, the “Ryukyu Aka-Gaeru” (Rana okinavana) and the “Hanasaki-Gaeru” (Rana narina) accounted for 41.2%. These frogs were presumed to be the principal food of the “Hime-Habu”.
4) Judging from the animals eaten, the “Hime-Habu” was presumed to inhabit narrow forested valleys; observations in the field confirmed this.
5) Judging from the feeding habits and the habitat, the “Hime-Habu” and the “Habu” (Trimeresurus f. flavoviridis) were presumed to be completely allopatric.
6) A maximum length of 783mm for the “Hime-Habu” from the Amami Islands was recorded.
7) An instance of the “Hime-Habu” eating a snake longer than itself was recorded.
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