Andrias davidianus

(Blanchard, 1871)

Vernacular names
English : Chinese giant salamander
French : Salamandre géante de Chine

Classification
Class : Amphibia
Order : Caudata
Family : Cryptobranchidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Largest amphibian species known, reaching a total length of 1.80 m for a weight up to 50 kg. Flat and broad roughly triangular head with wide mouth and very small eyes. Wrinkly skin. Coloration grey brown with dark spots on back.

Range and habitat
The species is endemic to China and has a very fragmented range, from Qinghai to Jiangsu, south to Sichuan, Guangxi and Guangdong. Introduced in Taiwan. Lives in lakes and streams with rocky bottom and vegetation, up to 1500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : This species has been hunted down to extinction in most of its range. It occurs in protected areas but habitat loss and hunting still occur.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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