Dangerous Creatures

Okinawa is a tropical island and has its shape of dangerous animals, particularly sea animals. On land, there are poisonous snakes.

Safety Guide for Visitors to Okinawa issued by Okinawa Prefecture

Habu Snakes

(1) about Habu Snakes
The Habu is a venomous and dangerous snake on Okinawa. The snake is dark green and yellow with a triangular head, whitish thick belly, firm tail, measuring up to 2M (6.5ft). Habus are often found in isolated rural areas, around tombs, sugar cane fields, caves, and stone walls.

(2) Treatment
1. Keep calm and check if it was a habu

Even if you can not identify the type of snake, the habu leaves two fang marks. It may leave from one to hour bite marks. Within five minutes, the bitten area swells and becomes very painful

2. If you think it's habu bite, call loudly for help and ask to be taken to hospital

if you run, the poison ciculates faster, so go to hospital by car. If you must walk, go slowly.

3. If it will take time to get to hospital, loosely bind the affected part leaving enough space to insert a finger.

Bind the wonded part in the nearest location from the heart to reduce bleeding, Tight binding will stop blood circulation and maek an adserse effect. Please be sure to unbind once every 15 minutes.

Box Jellyfish (Habu Kurage)

(1) about Box Jellyfish (Habu Kurage)
The peak of the “jellyfish season” is June to September. Box jelly fish are 12cm (4.5 inches) in diameter, and 1.5m (5 feet) long (including their tentacles.)

(2) Treatment

  • If stung, leave the water immediately.
  • Do not rub/wash with freshwater.
  • Pour lots of vinegar onto the wound to dilute the poison and remove any pieces of tentacles from your skin.
  • Cool off with some ice or cold water. Seek medical attention immediately.

There are other dangerous creatures in Okinawa mostly in the ocean. If you are not sure they are venomous, it is safe to keep a safe distance and make sure not to touch them. Please refer to following web-site for more information. (http://okinawanaturephotography.com/category/venomous-animals-of-okinawa/)

Other venomous ocean creatures

Other venomous ocean creatures
- Luna lionfish (Mino kasago)
- Sea snake (Erabu Umi hebi or Irabuu in Okinawan dialect)
- Geography Cone (anbo inagai or habu gai)