In Japan, unusual huge creatures live, which are the world's largest tailed amphibians. The gigantic salamander is of two subspecies (Chinese and Japanese), which are very similar to each other and can freely mate with each other. Both species are listed in the International Red Book and are currently on the verge of extinction, therefore they are strictly protected by various international organizations.
Appearance
The giant salamander (animal) does not look particularly attractive. Her description suggests that she has a body completely covered with mucus, and a large head, which is flattened from above. Its long tail, on the contrary, is compressed laterally, and its legs are short and thick. The nostrils located at the end of the muzzle are too close together. The eyes are somewhat reminiscent of beads and devoid of eyelids.
The gigantic salamander has warty skin with a fringe on the sides, making the outlines of the animal seem even more vague. The upper body of the amphibian has a dark brown color with grayish stains and black shapeless spots. Such a discreet color allows it to be completely invisible at the bottom of the reservoir, as it masks the animal well among various objects of the underwater world.
This amphibian is simply amazing in its size. The length of her body along with her tail can reach 165 centimeters, and weight - 26 kilograms. She has great physical strength and is dangerous if she feels the enemy is approaching.
Where does he live?
The Japanese species of these animals inhabits the western part of Hondo Island, and is also widespread in the north of Gifu. In addition, it lives throughout the island. Shikoku and Fr. Kyushu. The Chinese giant salamander lives in southern Guangxi and Shaanxi.
The habitat for these tailed amphibians is mountain rivers and streams with clean and cool water, located at an altitude of about five hundred meters.
Lifestyle and behavior
These animals show their activity exclusively in the dark, and during the day they sleep in some secluded places. When dusk sets in, they go hunting. As their food, they usually choose a variety of insects, small amphibians, fish and crustaceans.
These amphibians move along the bottom with their short paws, but if there is a need for sharp acceleration, then they also connect the tail. The giant salamander usually moves against the tide, as this can provide better breathing. It comes out of the water to the coast in very rare cases and mainly after spills caused by heavy rains. The animal spends much of its time in different minks, large recesses formed among pitfalls, or in tree trunks and snags that have sunken and found themselves at the bottom of the river.
The Japanese salamander, as well as the Chinese, have poor eyesight, but this does not prevent them from adapting and orientating themselves in space, since they are endowed with a wonderful sense of smell.
Shedding of these amphibians occurs several times a year. The old lagging skin completely slides from the entire surface of the body. Small pieces and flakes formed in this process can be partially eaten by the animal. During this period, which lasts several days, they make frequent movements resembling vibration. In this way, amphibians wash off all remaining areas of the skin being discarded.
The giant salamander is considered a territorial amphibian, so there are cases when small males are destroyed by their larger counterparts. But, in principle, these animals do not differ in excessive aggression and only in case of danger can they release a sticky secret, which has a milky color and resembles something like Japanese pepper.
Breeding
Usually this animal mates between August and September, after which the female lays her eggs in a dug hole under the shore at a depth of three meters. These eggs have a diameter of approximately 7 mm, and there are several hundred of them. They ripen for about sixty days at a water temperature equal to twelve degrees Celsius.
Only when born, the larvae have a length of only 30 mm, the beginnings of the limbs and a large tail. These amphibians do not go to land until they reach a year and a half age, when their lungs are fully formed, and they will reach puberty. Until this time, the giant salamander is constantly under water.
Food
In the body of these caudate amphibians, metabolic processes are very slow, so they can do without any food for many days and are capable of prolonged starvation. When they have a need for food, they go hunting and catch their prey in one sharp movement with their mouths wide open, due to which the effect of a pressure difference is obtained. Thus, the victim is safely sent to the stomach along with a stream of water.
Gigantic salamanders are considered carnivores. In captivity, there have even been cases of cannibalism, that is, eating their own kind.
