Andrias japonicus

(Temminck, 1836)

Vernacular names

English : Japanese giant salamander
French : Salamandre géante du Japon

Classification

Class : Amphibia
Order : Caudata
Family : Cryptobranchidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification

The species grows to about 1.50 meters in length for a weight above 25 kg. Triangular head with large mouth and rounded snout. Large and numerous tubercles on snout and throat. Coloration is mottled grey, brown and black.

Range and habitat

The species is endemic to Japan and can be found in western Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. Lives in small to large clear water rivers, usually in forested areas.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix I
Status : Although the species is protected, its habitat is more and more reduced and the species has been uplisted to Vulnerable on IUCN Red List in recent times.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation