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
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

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

12 facilities · 0 individuals

京都水族館 (Kyouto Suizokukan)KyotoJR「京都」駅中央口から徒歩約15分。

公式サイトで飼育・展示情報を確認できる（主な施設）。 Source

ごかつら池どうぶつパーク (Gokatsuraikedoubutsu Park)Mie勢和多気ICから約10分。

ごかつら池どうぶつパークのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

ふくしま海洋科学館 (Fukushimakaiyoukagakukan)FukushimaOpened in 2000

ふくしま海洋科学館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanOsakaOpened in 1990

海遊館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

京都市動物園 (Kyoutoshi Doubutsuen)KyotoOpened in 1903

京都市動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

広島市安佐動物公園 (Hiroshimashiasa Doubutsu Kouen)Hiroshima

広島市安佐動物公園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

城崎マリンワールド (Kinosakimarin World)HyogoJR城崎温泉駅から全但バスで約10分「日和山（マリンワールド）」バス停下車。

城崎マリンワールドのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

須坂市動物園 (Suzakashi Doubutsuen)Nagano上信越自動車道「須坂長野東IC」から国道403号経由、幸高町交差点右折→上八町交差点左折→臥竜橋を渡り左折で南口へ。

須坂市動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Tennoji ZooOsakaOpened in 1915

天王寺動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

東京都恩賜上野動物園 (Toukyoutoonshiueno Doubutsuen)TokyoOpened in 1882

東京都恩賜上野動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

姫路市立水族館 (Himeji Shiritsu Suizokukan)Hyogo山陽電鉄「手柄駅」から徒歩10分、JR「手柄山平和公園駅」から徒歩15分。

姫路市立水族館のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

名古屋市東山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Latest news

4

Open the news index

Source links to official sites, official YouTube channels, and news aggregators such as Zoo Ring. Visit the publisher for the full item.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

国の特別天然記念物。IUCNで危急種（VU）。世界最大級の両生類で、生息地の分断と外来種との交雑が保全上の最大の課題。

Habitat

西日本の冷たくきれいな渓流。夜行性で川底の岩の隙間にひそむ。

Threats

  • 河川改修・砂防ダムによる生息地の分断と産卵場所の消失
  • 放流された外来のチュウゴクオオサンショウウオとの交雑
  • 水質汚濁

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • 特別天然記念物として法的に保護
  • 京都水族館などでの飼育・繁殖研究と普及
  • 交雑個体の遺伝的判別と在来個体群の保全

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org www.iucnredlist.org

Support Conservation

A visit is a small, positive way to support the daily lives of the animals you care about.

Visit
A visit itself helps support the facility.
Animal Supporter Programs & Giving
Find ways to support the facility through its official website.
Furusato Nozei
Municipally run facilities may share official guidance for this Japanese hometown-tax program.

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

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