A miracle from Asia: 7 interesting facts about the Japanese giant salamander (8 photos)

Do you love unusual creatures? Then you'll definitely love this giant amphibian from the Land of the Rising Sun! This is a very strange animal...







The Japanese giant salamander is one of the largest salamanders in the world, capable of reaching 160 cm in length and weighing up to 35 kg. These animals are found only on the Japanese islands and were first described and cataloged in 1820.





The Japanese giant salamander is crepuscular and nocturnal, living exclusively in water—cold mountain rivers and streams. It prefers to sleep during the day.



The Japanese giant salamander is virtually identical to another species, the Chinese giant salamander (found in central eastern China): these creatures can interbreed freely and are virtually identical in appearance. Some experts classify them as subspecies of a single species.



The salamander feeds on frogs, fish, crustaceans, and insects. However, if it can't find a meal, the salamander can go for weeks without food thanks to its slow metabolism.



Japanese salamanders (like Chinese salamanders) have the ability to regenerate.



Good news: the venom of the Japanese giant salamander does not pose a serious danger to humans.



The meat of the Japanese giant salamander is edible and even considered a delicacy. For this reason, the conservation status of this animal is Near Threatened.