# Japanese Giant Salamander (*Andrias japonicus*) The Japanese Giant Salamander is a big and friendly-looking creature. It can live for a very long time, sometimes over 100 years! - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and streams - **Also known as:** Giant Salamander, Japanese Giant Newt ![Japanese Giant Salamander](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424420/objects/5746.jpg) ## Appearance The Japanese Giant Salamander has mottled brown and black skin, offering excellent camouflage in rocky riverbeds. It features a broad, flattened head with tiny eyes and a wide mouth, and its body is covered in distinctive, loose wrinkles. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Cryptobranchidae - **Genus:** Andrias ## Interesting facts - Despite their massive size, they spend almost their entire lives hidden under rocks in rivers. - These salamanders can make a barking sound, similar to a dog's bark! - They are 'living fossils,' having changed very little for millions of years! - They can live for over 50 years, making them one of the longest-living amphibians! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Whisper:** Japanese Giant Salamander can breathe through its skin because its large surface area and thin skin absorb oxygen directly from the cool, flowing water. - **Stealthy Ambush Hunter:** Japanese Giant Salamander can patiently wait for prey because its camouflage and low metabolism allow it to stay motionless for long periods before striking. - **Low-Light Navigator:** Japanese Giant Salamander has poor eyesight but highly sensitive senses of touch and smell that help them detect prey in murky, dark river waters. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-150 cm - **Weight:** 5-25 kg - **Lifespan:** 50-80 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 400-600 - **Metamorphosis:** 730-1095 days ## Diet & Feeding They are top predators, eating fish, frogs, and insects they ambush in their freshwater homes. - **Age differences:** Young salamanders eat smaller insects and crustaceans, while adults hunt larger fish and crabs. - **Primary Foods:** fish, crabs, frogs, aquatic insects - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Masu Trout (*Oncorhynchus masou*) — A primary prey fish in its river habitat. - **Hunts:** Montane Brown Frog (*Rana ornativentris*) — Adults and tadpoles are caught in the water. - **Hunts:** Red Swamp Crayfish (*Procambarus clarkii*) — An invasive species, often consumed. ## Traits - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Japanese Giant Salamander? Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Japanese Giant Salamander? 60-150 cm ### How much does Japanese Giant Salamander weigh? 5-25 kg ### How long does Japanese Giant Salamander live? 50-80 years ### How fast can Japanese Giant Salamander move? 2 km/h ### What does Japanese Giant Salamander eat? They are top predators, eating fish, frogs, and insects they ambush in their freshwater homes. ### Where is Japanese Giant Salamander usually found? Freshwater rivers and streams ### How does Japanese Giant Salamander hunt? Ambush ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Japanese Giant Salamander: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/japanese-giant-salamander)