Mammals:
* Endemic Species:
* Japanese macaque (snow monkey): Known for their habit of soaking in hot springs.
* Japanese serow: A goat-like antelope found in mountainous areas.
* Japanese giant salamander: The world's largest amphibian, found in pristine streams.
* Amami rabbit: A critically endangered rabbit found only on the Amami Islands.
* Tsushima leopard cat: A unique cat species found on Tsushima Island.
* Common Species:
* Japanese raccoon dog: A dog-like mammal with a raccoon-like mask.
* Sika deer: A small deer species found throughout Japan.
* Japanese black bear: A powerful bear species found in forested areas.
* Japanese wolf (extinct): Sadly, this species is now extinct.
Birds:
* Endemic Species:
* Ryukyu robin: A bright red robin found on the Ryukyu Islands.
* Japanese green pheasant: A colorful pheasant species endemic to Japan.
* Japanese crane: A beautiful and endangered crane species.
* Common Species:
* White-tailed eagle: A large, majestic eagle found in coastal areas.
* Red-crowned crane: A majestic crane species, a national symbol of Japan.
* Common kingfisher: A colorful kingfisher species found near rivers and streams.
Reptiles & Amphibians:
* Endemic Species:
* Japanese giant salamander: As mentioned earlier, the world's largest amphibian.
* Ryukyu spiny rat: A unique rodent species found only on the Ryukyu Islands.
* Tokai gecko: A small gecko species found in the Tokai region.
* Common Species:
* Japanese rat snake: A non-venomous snake species found throughout Japan.
* Japanese pond turtle: A freshwater turtle species found in ponds and lakes.
Fish:
* Endemic Species:
* Japanese pufferfish: Known for its poisonous flesh.
* Japanese sea bass: A popular fish for sushi.
* Japanese anchovy: A small but important fish in the Japanese diet.
* Common Species:
* Tuna: Japan is a major fishing nation for tuna.
* Salmon: Found in rivers and coastal waters.
* Mackerel: A common fish found in Japanese waters.
Insects:
* Endemic Species:
* Japanese stag beetle: A large, impressive beetle species.
* Japanese rhinoceros beetle: A strong and powerful beetle species.
* Ogasawara giant land snail: A unique and endangered snail species.
* Common Species:
* Butterflies: Many species, including the swallowtail butterfly.
* Beetles: A wide variety of beetle species.
Marine Life:
* Whales: Humpback whales, minke whales, and sperm whales are seen in Japanese waters.
* Dolphins: Various dolphin species, including the Risso's dolphin and the Pacific white-sided dolphin.
* Sharks: A diverse range of shark species, including hammerheads and thresher sharks.
* Coral reefs: Beautiful and diverse coral reefs are found in the Ryukyu Islands.
This list is only a small glimpse into the fascinating diversity of animal life found in Japan. There are many other species, both common and rare, that inhabit this beautiful island nation.