8 Common Dangerous Animals in Japan You Need To Know About

Japan is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture. But it’s also home to some common dangerous animals in Japan that you need to be aware of.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the 8 most common dangerous animals in Japan, and what you can do to avoid them.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan or you just want to learn more about the country’s wildlife, read on for some important information that could save your life.

Discover 8 Most Common Dangerous Animals in Japan

here we have enlisted 8 of the most common dangerous animals in Japan.

Ussuri brown bear

Name: Ussuri brown bear

Scientific name: Ursus arctos lasiotus

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Interesting fact: They are one of the largest bear species in the world.

Found: Eastern Russia, northeast China, and North Korea.

The Ussuri brown bear is a large bear species that is found in eastern Russia, northeast China, and North Korea. It is one of the largest bear species in the world, and it can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds.

The Ussuri brown bears are the most common dangerous animals in Japan. It is a solitary animal, and it is mostly active during the day. It is an omnivore, and it eats a variety of foods, including fish, berries, and small mammals.

Wild boars

Name: Wild boar

Scientific name: Sus scrofa

Conservation status: Least concern

Interesting fact: They can run up to 30 mph.

Found: Worldwide, in forests, grasslands, and wetlands.

Wild boars are also one of the common dangerous animals in Japan. They are large, omnivorous mammals that are found worldwide. They are members of the pig family, and they are closely related to domestic pigs. Wild boars are known for their thick, bristly fur, their sharp tusks, and their aggressive nature.

They can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh up to 400 pounds. The species of a wild boar are social animals and live in groups called sounders. These boars are preyed upon by wolves, bears, and lions.

Japanese mountain leech

Name: Japanese mountain leech

Scientific name: Haemadipsa zeylanica

Conservation status: Least concern

Interesting fact: They can grow up to 3 inches long.

Found: Mountainous regions of Japan, Sri Lanka, and India.

The Japanese mountain leech is a blood-sucking leech which is counted as one of the most dangerous animals in Japan that is found in mountainous regions of Japan, Sri Lanka, and India. It is a member of the Haemadipsidae family, which are known for their jawed mouths.

Japanese mountain leeches can grow up to 3 inches long, and they are typically yellow-orange in color.

They are nocturnal and typically feed on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. These leeches can attach to their prey for several hours, and they can drink up to 10 times their own body weight in blood. Their bites can be painful and can cause infection.

Grizzly bears

Name: Grizzly bear

Scientific name: Ursus arctos horribilis

Conservation status: Vulnerable

Interesting fact: They have a hump on their back that stores fat.

Found: Western North America

Grizzly bears are large, powerful bears and most common dangerous animals in Japan. You will found them in western North America. They are a subspecies of the brown bear, and they are characterized by their humped back, long claws, and powerful jaws.

These wild animals are omnivorous, and they eat a variety of foods, including berries, fish, and mammals. They can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh up to 1,500 pounds. These bears are solitary animals, except for mothers with cubs.

Japanese Mamushi Snake

common dangerous animals in japan

Name: Japanese mamushi snake

Scientific name: Gloydius blomhoffii

Conservation status: Least concern

Interesting fact: Its venom is one of the most potent in the world.

Found: Japan, Korea, and Russia.

The Japanese mamushi is a venomous pit viper species found in Japan, Korea, and Russia. It is the most venomous snake in Japan, and its venom is one of the most potent in the world.

The mamushi are large snakes, and most dangerous animals that can grow up to 60 centimeters long. It has a brown or black body with a series of irregular blotches. It is an ambush predator, and it typically bites its prey on the hands or feet.

The mamushi is not considered to be a threatened species, but its population is declining due to habitat loss and fragmentation. The snake is also hunted for its venom, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Largest Common Dangerous Animals in Japan

Asian hornet

asian hornet

Name: Asian giant hornet

Scientific name: Vespa mandarinia

Conservation status: Not listed

Interesting fact: Their sting is one of the most painful in the world.

Found: Native to East Asia, but has been found in North America.

The Asian giant hornet is the largest hornet in the world, and it is known for its painful sting. It is native to East Asia, but it has been found in North America in recent years. It is the most dangerous animal of Japan.

They can grow up to 2 inches long. Their stinger is ¼ inch long and can deliver a painful sting that can be fatal to humans. The Asian giant hornets are social insects and live in colonies of up to 500 individuals.

Pufferfish

Name: Pufferfish

Scientific name: Tetraodontidae

Conservation status: Least concern

Interesting fact: They can inflate themselves to twice their normal size.

Found: Tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.

Pufferfish are small to medium-sized fish that are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. They are characterized by their round bodies and their ability to inflate themselves to twice their normal size.

Pufferfish are also known for their poisonous flesh, which can be fatal to humans if not prepared properly. The largest pufferfish is the giant pufferfish, which can grow up to 6 feet long. They are carnivores and eat a variety of small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

Redback spiders

Name: Redback spider

Scientific name: Latrodectus hasselti

Conservation status: Least concern

Interesting fact: Their venom is 15 times more potent than that of a black widow spider.

Found: Australia, Southeast Asia and New Zealand.

The redback spider is a highly venomous spider that is found in Australia, Southeast Asia and New Zealand. It is a member of the Latrodectus genus, and it is known for its distinctive red stripe on the abdomen.

Redback spiders are typically found in dark, undisturbed places, such as sheds, garages, and under rocks. They are about the size of a pea, with females being slightly larger than males. These are nocturnal and feed on insects. Their venom is a neurotoxin that can cause severe pain, nausea, and difficulty breathing.

Rarest Common Dangerous Animals in Japan

Viper box jellyfish

The viper box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) is a species of box jellyfish found in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan. It is the most venomous jellyfish in the world, and its sting can be fatal to humans.

The venom of the viper box jellyfish contains a powerful neurotoxin that can cause cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, and death.

Japanese giant hornet

This hornet is the largest in the world, and it can deliver a sting that is 20 times more potent than a honeybee sting.

Endangered Species in Japan

Japanese macaque

The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata), also known as the snow monkey, is a terrestrial Old World monkey species that is native to Japan.

They are found on three of the four main Japanese islands that includes Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The northernmost populations live on the Shimokita Peninsula, the northernmost point of Honshu. Several of Japan’s smaller islands are inhabited by macaques as well.

Japanese Giant Salamander

The Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) is the third-largest salamander in the world, reaching lengths of up to 5 feet (1.5 m) and weighing up to 55 pounds (25 kg).

It is found in the rivers and streams of central and western Japan. The Japanese giant salamander is a nocturnal animal and feeds on fish, frogs, and insects. The Japanese giant salamander is a threatened species due to habitat loss and pollution.

Critically Endangered Species in Japan

Iriomote cat

The Iriomote cat (Prionailurus iriomotensis) is a critically endangered subspecies of the leopard cat that is found exclusively on the Japanese island of Iriomote. It is the smallest of the wild cats in Japan, and it is about the size of a domestic cat.

The Iriomote cat has a dark brown coat with dark spots that tend to merge into bands. It has a long tail and short legs.

The Iriomote cat is a nocturnal animal and is most active at dusk and dawn. It is a solitary animal and only comes together to mate. The Iriomote cat’s diet consists of small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Amami Rabbit

common dangerous animals in japan

he Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi) is a small, dark-furred rabbit that is only found on two small islands (Amami Ōshima and Toku-no-Shima) of southern Japan. It is often called a living fossil, as it is a relic of ancient rabbits that once lived on the Asian mainland.

The Amami rabbit is listed as endangered by the IUCN, and its population is declining due to habitat destruction and predation by introduced mongooses and by feral dogs and cats.

Red-Crowned Crane

The red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis) is a large, endangered crane that is native to East Asia. It is one of the most beautiful and majestic birds in the world, and it is a symbol of luck, longevity, and fidelity in many cultures.

Red-crowned cranes are about 5 feet tall and weigh up to 15 pounds. They have a white body with a black crown and a long, red beak. The males are slightly larger than the females.

How many animals are native to Japan?

There are over 90,000 animal species that have been confirmed in Japan. This includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects. However, not all of these species are native to Japan. Some of them have been introduced by humans, either intentionally or accidentally.

Some of the most well-known native animals in Japan include:

  • Japanese quail
  • Green pheasant
  • Japanese wagtail
  • Japanese sea lily
  • Japanese spider crab
  • Giant squid
  • Japanese giant salamander

National Bird of Japan

The national bird of Japan is the Green Pheasant, also known as the Japanese green pheasant.

The green pheasant is a colorful bird native to Japan. It is the national bird of Japan and is known for its bright green plumage, blue neck, and red face. Green pheasants are omnivorous and live in forests, woodlands, and open fields. They are a popular game bird and are also kept as ornamental birds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most dangerous wild animal in Japan?

Giant hornet is the most dangerous wild animal in Japan.

What wild predators are in Japan?

Asian black bear, red fox, raccoon dog, and Japanese marten are wild predators in Japan.

What is Japan’s biggest predator?

Ussuri brown bear is Japan’s biggest predator.

What big cats live in Japan?

Iriomote cat, and leopard cat are two big cats that live in japan.

Olivia Kepner