The Japanese giant salamander is a fully aquatic species of giant salamander found only in Japan, growing up to five feet long and about 55 pounds, which makes it the third largest salamander species in the world. It has mottled brown and black skin, very small eyes with no eyelids, and a wide mouth stretching across its head. It lives in fast-flowing mountain streams in the western part of Honshu, with smaller populations on Shikoku and in northern Kyushu. It is rated vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, was designated a special natural monument by Japan in 1951, and is listed on CITES Appendix I.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Scientific Name Conservation Status Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Amphibia, Taxa Source Japanese Giant Salamander (Wikidata)
In Biome
River, Biomes Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Andrias japonicus
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Andrias japonicus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyPrimary Diet, Andrias japonicus
Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
In Biome: River, Habitat Regions, biome: rivers and streams
rivers and streams
View the Source 2. GBIF Species API
3. Wikipedia: Japanese giant salamander
WikipediaThreats
In some regions, giant salamanders used to be hunted as a source of food, but hunting has ceased because of the protection acts established after World War II.
Article text
As of 2022 the Japanese giant salamander is considered Vulnerable by IUCN, and is included on CITES Appendix I.
Introduction
It is rated vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, was designated a special natural monument by Japan in 1951, and is listed on CITES Appendix I.
View the Source 4. Japanese Giant Salamander (Wikidata)
WikidataStatements section, conservation status (P141)
Wikidata Q112045: vulnerable (P141).
- Child Taxon Of: Amphibia, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source 5. Wikipedia: Japanese giant salamander
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