At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Japanese giant salamander is one of the largest amphibians in the world, a fully aquatic river-dweller. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
It can live for decades and breathes largely through its wrinkled skin.
Range & habitat
Cool rivers and streams of Japan.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Habitat alteration (dams and river works)
- Hybridisation with introduced salamanders
- Pollution
Why it matters
A giant 'living fossil' amphibian, the Japanese giant salamander is an indicator of clean, well-connected rivers and a cultural icon in Japan.
Sources
Sources for Japanese Giant Salamander
- IUCN Red List — look up Japanese Giant Salamander (authoritative status)
- AmphibiaWeb (UC Berkeley)
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the Japanese giant salamander?
It is among the largest living amphibians, able to exceed a metre in length, and can live for many decades in cool, flowing rivers.
Why is it Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite river alteration such as dams and concrete works, hybridisation with introduced Chinese giant salamanders, and pollution. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: