Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Yonaguni Atlas Moth
Moths are closely related to buterlies but are far more prevalent. They are both in the same taxo-
nomic order. Scienists esimate that there may be as many as 200,000 species, ten imes the number
of buterly species. Most are nocturnal. Yonaguni's moth, the Atlas (
Atacus atlas
), is one of some
1,500 species of large moths found in the tropics and subtropics of Southeast Asia. The Atlas moth is
the largest in the world, with total wing surface areas upwards of 62 square inches (400 square ceni-
meters). Their wing span is also among the largest, some 10-12 inches (25-30 cenimeters). Females
are considerably larger and heavier than males. Atlas moths do not feed. During their short one to
two week adult life, they survive enirely on larval fat reserves built up while they were caterpillars.
Even before the discovery of the monument ruins, Yonaguni was a famous dive spot
for its collection of hammerhead sharks. It's a seasonal territory for them and every winter,
from December to February, they congregate in large numbers. Sighting them and swimming
among them, if that appeals to you, can virtually be guaranteed. It is also possible, though
not common, to see giant whale sharks. They are also known to frequent these waters.
A maritime warning. If those rip currents don't drown you and the hammerheads don't
eat you, there's one more sea creature that may have a shot. It's a little one, the “Geographic”
Coneshell, a particularly lethal type of tropical conesnail. Fairly common in Yonaguni's wa-
ters, it and its less common friend, the “Textile” Coneshell, are two very attractive cones,
temptingly easy to pick up and collect. The geographic cone snail, known locally as Anbonia
(
アンボイナ
), is quite prevalent and very poisonous, even deadly on occasion. They average
about 2.5-3 inches (10 centimeters) in length. Though they have no eyes, they have a complex
form of chemical “sight” which allows them to aim perfectly. Upon picking one up, it can
direct—and will not hesitate to stab—its long, flexible harpoon. The sting can potentially be
fatal. At best, it's terribly painful.
Moving back onto terra firma, Yonaguni has two more unique living creatures. For-
tunately, these are far less lethal, they're even benign. First there is the Yonaguni horse (
与
那国馬
or
ヨナグニウマ
; Yonaguni-uma), a distinctive, small, free-roaming breed. They've
bred in isolation on Yonaguni for generations and are now indigenous to the island. They
