Japanese Giant Salamanderオオサンショウウオ

Andrias japonicusVU— Vulnerable

The Japanese giant salamander is a fully aquatic, nocturnal amphibian endemic to clear mountain streams in western Honshu, Shikoku, and parts of Kyushu, Japan. Growing up to 1.5 meters long, it ranks among the largest living amphibians and feeds mainly on fish and freshwater crustaceans. Protected in Japan as a Special Natural Monument, it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Japanese Giant Salamander (reference photo)
Photo: Salamandra2021 / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Caudata / Cryptobranchidae Source
Size
Total length typically 50–70 cm; one individual reached a record 150 cm
Weight
A record of about 25 kg (an individual 150 cm in total length)
Lifespan
Wild: over 10 years (estimates suggest it may live nearly 80 years) / captive: record of 52 years
Diet
Carnivore Eats fish, crustaceans such as freshwater crabs, insects, and small animals such as snakes and Japanese water shrews
Activity
Nocturnal and fully aquatic; rests in burrows along the water's edge during the day
Distribution
Endemic to Japan, found in clear mountain streams and rivers across western Honshu (west of Gifu Prefecture), Shikoku, and parts of northern Kyushu. Source
Sources
ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

  • Males guard strings of 400-500 eggs in nest burrows, protecting them for about 50 days until they hatch. Source
  • It has poor eyesight but uses a lateral line system to sense vibrations in the water and locate prey. Source
  • When threatened, it secretes a strong-smelling, milky substance to deter predators. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 12

Kyoto AquariumKyotoAbout a 15-minute walk from the central exit of JR Kyoto Station.

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Gokatsuraike Animal ParkMieAbout 10 minutes from the Seiwa-Taki Interchange.

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Aquamarine FukushimaFukushimaOpened in 2000

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Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

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Kyoto City ZooKyotoOpened in 1903

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Hiroshima City Asa Zoological ParkHiroshimaFrom JR Hiroshima Station, take the Sanyo Main Line or Kabe Line to Shin-Hakushima Station, transfer to the Astram Line to Kamiyasu Station, then take a bus to "Asa Dobutsu Koen" (about 45 minutes in total).

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Kinosaki Marine WorldHyogoAbout 10 minutes by Zentan Bus from JR Kinosaki-Onsen Station; get off at the Hiyoriyama (Marine World) bus stop.

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Suzaka ZooNaganoFrom the Suzaka-Nagano-Higashi IC on the Joshin-etsu Expressway, take Route 403, turn right at the Kotaka-machi intersection, turn left at the Kami-Hatcho intersection, cross Garyu Bridge, and turn left for the south entrance.

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Tennoji ZooOsakaOpened in 1915

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Ueno ZooTokyoOpened in 1882

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HIMEJI CITY AQUARIUMHyogoA 10-minute walk from Tegara Station on the Sanyo Electric Railway, or a 15-minute walk from JR Tegarayama-Heiwakoen Station.

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Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

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Latest news

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Vulnerable (VU)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org www.iucnredlist.org

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FAQ

How large can a Japanese giant salamander grow?
It can reach up to about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length and around 25 kilograms in weight, making it one of the largest living amphibians. Source
What does the Japanese giant salamander eat?
It preys mainly on fish and freshwater crabs, and also eats insects, frogs, and occasionally small mammals; it has a very slow metabolism and can go weeks without feeding. Source
Where does the Japanese giant salamander live?
It is endemic to Japan, living in clear mountain streams across western Honshu, Shikoku, and parts of northern Kyushu. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 12 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org