Where is the Tokyo salamander found?

It is endemic to Japan, found in parts of Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Fukushima prefectures, in forests, springs, and paddy fields.

Why is the Tokyo salamander endangered?

It faces habitat loss and predation by introduced raccoons, and mid-summer paddy drainage can kill larvae before they complete metamorphosis.

What does the Tokyo salamander eat?

Larvae feed on zooplankton such as water fleas, while adults prey on spiders, insects, and earthworms.

Tokyo Salamanderトウキョウサンショウウオ

Hynobius tokyoensisVU— Vulnerable

The Tokyo salamander is a small, nocturnal salamander endemic to the Kanto region of Japan, found in temperate forests, springs, and paddy fields across Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and part of Fukushima. It grows to about 8-13 cm long; its larvae feed on zooplankton while adults eat insects, spiders, and earthworms. Threatened by habitat loss, predation, and paddy-draining practices that can kill larvae before metamorphosis, it is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Tokyo Salamander (reference photo) — Photo: George Berninger Jr. / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Caudata / Hynobiidae Source
Size: Total length about 8–13 cm
Lifespan: Records report up to 21 years in the wild and over 30 years in captivity
Diet: Carnivore Larvae eat zooplankton such as water fleas; adults prey on soil animals such as spiders, insects, and earthworms
Activity: Nocturnal
Distribution: Endemic to Japan, found in parts of Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Tochigi, and Fukushima prefectures, inhabiting temperate forests, freshwater springs, and paddy fields. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

Before it was formally described as a species, it was locally known in some areas as "Yamakaji," a name derived from its face resembling that of a kajika fish. Source
In 2022, the northern population was recognized as a separate species, the Iwaki salamander. Source
The population shows a skewed sex ratio of roughly 1.5 males to 1 female, and mid-summer paddy drainage can kill larvae before they complete metamorphosis, further lowering breeding success. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1

Ueno ZooTokyoOpened in 1882

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Vulnerable (VU)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Where is the Tokyo salamander found?: It is endemic to Japan, found in parts of Tokyo, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Ibaraki, Tochigi, and Fukushima prefectures, in forests, springs, and paddy fields. Source
Why is the Tokyo salamander endangered?: It faces habitat loss and predation by introduced raccoons, and mid-summer paddy drainage can kill larvae before they complete metamorphosis. Source
What does the Tokyo salamander eat?: Larvae feed on zooplankton such as water fleas, while adults prey on spiders, insects, and earthworms. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1 Source

Books & gear

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