At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Chinese giant salamander is among the largest amphibians on Earth, reaching well over a metre. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It is a fully aquatic, slow-moving predator of cool, fast rivers, and wild populations have collapsed.
Range & habitat
Mountain streams and rivers of central, southern, and eastern China.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Collection for food and farming
- Habitat loss and degradation
- Pollution
Why it matters
As a giant 'living fossil' amphibian, the Chinese giant salamander is both an evolutionary marvel and a stark example of how the wildlife-food trade can hollow out wild populations even of farmed species.
One of the largest living amphibians.
Sources
Sources for Chinese Giant Salamander
- IUCN Red List — look up Chinese Giant Salamander (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Chinese giant salamander?
It is one of the largest living amphibians, able to exceed a metre in length — far larger than typical salamanders.
Why is it Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite heavy collection for food (including to stock farms), habitat loss, and pollution, which have devastated wild populations. See the IUCN Red List.
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