Okinawa pit viper; Ryukyu Island pit viper
A venomous snake species (Ovophis okinavensis) found in the Ryukyu Islands. The name is typically written in katakana.
In Okinawa, you need to be careful not to get bitten by the Okinawa pit viper.
The Okinawa pit viper is smaller than the habu and is said to be less venomous.
ハブ refers to the larger, more well-known habu pit viper (Protobothrops flavoviridis), while ヒメハブ is a smaller species with a milder venom.
Katakana spelling is standard for this species name; usually written in kana.
Ateji kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
Ateji kanji spelling; very rare and mostly historical or encyclopedic.
The name combines 姫 (hime, 'princess' or 'small') with ハブ (habu, the Okinawan pit viper), literally 'princess habu' or 'small habu', referring to its smaller size compared to the common habu.