Creepy Crawly: The Creatures of Okinawa

As I write this I understand that the east coast is being hit by Hurricane Sandy, otherwise known as "Frankenstorm".   I am completely confident that you will all be well, perhaps without electricity, but well.  And, while I wish you could be spared this hurricane, I can't help saying, "Better you than me".   After we've had 4 typhoons in the period of one 2 months I can't help thanking  the weather gods for spreading the wealth.

I've been saving this post for a while because I thought it would be appropriate to share on Halloween.  However, it is after the last typhoon that I thought to share with you the critters of Okinawa.  You see, after a typhoon all the creepy crawly beings are quite flustered and they are on the move.   I was warned, quite strongly, by our lawn care provider that I should be on the lookout for the Habu after a typhoon.  The Habu snake is not the only thing on the move so, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to some of Okinawa's creepy crawlers!

This is "Shell-don".  He lives nearby our side door.  He is about the size of the palm of my hand.  This is no wee hermit crab. And, despite his cumbersome looking mobile home, he moves rather quickly.  "Shell-don" is harmless and a regular occupant of our yard.  We look for him in the evening so that we don't accidently hear a "crunch" when walking outside.

Anyone who has talked to me on the phone or seen my facebook comments will know that we have geckos...lots of geckos.  They are called "yaru" (yah-roo) and that means "guardian of the house". The Okinawan people believe that the gecko brings good luck so they are not killed.  They do eat bugs, which is the only reason I tolerate them in the house.  While the gecko may eat bugs and bring good fortune, it also brings lots of poop.  Proportionally speaking, the gecko, which is about the size of my thumb, poops like a New York City rat.

This is the body print of a baby gecko.  It was on the lid of my kitchen garbage can.  The baby gecko is about 1 inch in length and must have just been hatched in a location where it picked up a bit of dust (probably a vent).  

This little (not!) guy is nick named the "banana" spider.    Bottom line:  They aren't poisonous, but their bite is painful, which is only mildly reassuring.  The leg span of the "banana" spider is about 5-6 inches long.  This spider is big and that is a good thing.  I can spot one of these long before bumbling into one of its webs.

The Habu snake is probably the most vile of all land creatures here on Okinawa.  They are very poisonous.  They are most active during the fall and spring and after a typhoon shakes up the natural environment.  They are also nocturnal.  So, since I have no intention of cutting a swath through the jungle at night I hope to never come face to face with one of these lovelies.

Yup... those are jars with Habu snakes.  The jars are filled with sake (sah-keh) and are sold in many stores on Okinawa.  No need to find your way to a back alley, seedy hole in the wall to purchase one of these as they are quite main stream.

There is a definite lack of wild furry creatures.  So, when I happened to see this furry little guy I was a bit surprised.  (As it turns out, I only know of two animals with fur.  You'll read about the other below.)  This is a mongoose.  The mongoose is not native to the Ryukyu islands, but was brought to Okinawa in the early 1900's to help curb the habu population.  Good intention, bad outcome.  Yes, the mongoose will actually devour a habu snake and live to eat another.  However, there is one problem:  The habu is nocturnal and the mongoose is not.  This has caused a problem on the island as the mongoose eats other creatures the Okinawans would rather it didn't.  Plus, the mongoose has no natural predators on the island.  Frankly, I'm just happy to see something that looks cute and fluffy.

Our other furry friend is the Ryukyu flying fox or as I like to call them, bats. The flying fox is actually a fruit bat that is not in the least dangerous to humans.  Within 24 hours of our arrival I spotted one of these flying overhead at twilight.  I've since seen them flying about at twilight, in the pre-dawn hours and it was very interesting, if a bit creepy, when I spotted one hanging upside-down from a tree sleeping.  I hear that these are endangered, yet I see them at least once a day.

Last, but definitely not the least is the box jellyfish.  I was only going to write about land critters in this post, but this creature deserves a mention as both John and Paul were stung by one of these back in 2004 when we were here for a visit.  The tentacles leave burn marks on the skin that resemble the tentacles themselves.  These are nasty creatures and even though I know they must serve some purpose in the eco system, they are in the top 10 of my "Useless Creature" list.   Thankfully, there is a beach nearby that has a "jellyfish" net in the water and we can swim there without the little, back- of -your- mind feeling that we might get stung.


That's enough critters for now.  I hope everyone is safe and dry during your "Frankenstorm" and we all wish you a HAPPY HALLOWEEN=D

Photo Credits: The photo of the mongoose and the fruit bad come from a blog called Mike's Ryukyu Gallery.  The photo of "Shell-don" and the gecko print are mine.  The other gecko comes from a blog called Love Okinawa.  

USO Camp Schwab

I recently began working at the Camp Schwab USO.  In just a short time I am hooked and excited to help make the USO on Schwab a better place for the Marines who are stationed here.  Camp Schwab is  the northern-most base on Okinawa and it is isolated.  There are  no bells and whistles for the Marines on Schwab.  The Marines, 90% of them unable to get a driver's license due to their age, are on the base for most of their tour, only getting to explore the island in a limited capacity.

To make life more friendly the Schwab USO, led by a very enthusiastic former Marine, does its best to create fun events and provide much needed entertainment.  The USO also has phones and computers and programs to help keep the Marines and their families in touch.

As you'll read below, Camp Schwab USO receives very little in the way of funding, yet here we are, serving breakfast to 400 Marines!  It was a fantastic event and just one of many the Camp Schwab USO sponsors.

The hungry Marines waiting their turn.  Pancakes were flying!

Your US Marines who live on Camp Schwab need your support.   Camp Schwab is home to deployed Marines who are here without their families.  John was deployed here numerous times so I know, first hand, how difficult it is for the Marines to be separated from their loved ones.

I volunteer there (as opposed to the USO on the other bases on island) because every time John was deployed to the camp he told me how much help was needed at the USO.  And, he was right!

Our roof is a mess after the last typhoon, our facility is ancient (we have to run the water for an hour before it turns to pale rust), there are tons of projects to do around the building and the Marines always look forward to the special events.

This takes money and we don't get too much alloted to Schwab USO.

These service members deserve better!!

Want to help?  You can help us do a lot with just a little.  Please think about sending a small donation.

Children love to send letters and pictures so get them involved as well.

If you can help out please send the donations to:

PSC 559 Box 6243
FPO AP 96377

(This is an FPO AP so it is considered domestic mail.  Please DO NOT write Japan on the envelope.)

If you feel energetic and want to run a fundraiser back home please let me know.  I can help make it more personal by sending you pics and info about Camp Schwab.  And, if you take pics of your fundraiser we will put them on the Camp Schwab USO Facebook page.

The Boys

The boys have adjusted well to life on island.  They are very active at Kubasaki High School, home of the Dragons.  They are enjoying their new school and will be attending Home Coming on 13 October.

John is enrolled in AP classes and is in the National Honor Society.  He is swimming for the Okinawa Dolphin Swim Team and will travel to Taiwan in November for a "travel" meet.   John will begin volunteer work at the USO this week.  He is also very busy researching colleges and very soon he will be applying to those that are a good fit.  

Pauly is wrapping up football season and is wearing the green and white!  I was hopeful that his wearing Jets colors would be a good omen for the Jets.  Not so much. Pauly has enjoyed the football season, but I think he is ready to get back to soccer for the spring.  He is also very busy with JROTC rifle team and color guard. Paul has stepped up his academic game and is in advanced classes and he will also begin volunteering at the USO this week.  

Paul's position:  Corner

 He may be new to the game, but number 35 sure looks like he belongs on that football field!

 Pauly has good speed and has made a few very good tackles this season.

 Looking much like one of the young Marines in the barracks across the street, Pauly wears the uniform well!

 John hasn't had an official swim meet as of yet.  His first will be on October 14th.  However, he was asked to participate in a triathlon relay.  Here he awaits his team's biker to tag him so that he can start the 800 meter swim.

 John held the lead after his teammate came in first from the bike ride.  He came in quite a few minutes before the next swimmer.

 After the swim!

Team Hammer poses as they hold their first place trophies.