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Caudata - Chinese Giant Salamander
Topic Started: Nov 12 2014, 06:00 AM (1,993 Views)
Jules
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Mihi est imperare orbi universo

Chinese Giant Salamander ~ Andrias davidianus

Posted Image

General Information

Class: Amphibia
Order: Caudata
Family: Cryptobranchidae
Genus: Andrias
Species: A. davidianus

Location and Habitat
The Chinese giant salamander was widespread in central, south-western and southern China, but its range is now highly fragmented. Its range spans the area from Qinghai east to Jiangsu and south to Sichuan, Guangxi and Guangdong; notably in the basins of the Yangtze, Yellow and Pearl Rivers. It is also found in Taiwan may be the result of introduction.

Conservation Status
Posted Image

Sizes
Weight30 kG
Length (average)115 cM


In Zoos

Type of Exhibit: This animal is entirely aquatic and should be kept, due to its size in a large aquarium, which should be several meters wide. There is not much information known about this species, and, as such, the minimum size of a tank is unknown. The Haus des Meeres in Wien, however, hosts one of them in a tank 6 metres wide and with a depth of 1 metre.
The substrate should preferably be made of gravel and irregular rocks, in an attempt to reconstruct the rocky stream beds in which they live.
The water should be kept well-oxygenated, as these animals lack gills and breathe exclusively through their skin.
In the wild, they live in mountainous regions, most of them between 500 and 800 metres, and, as such, the temperature shouldn't be too high and should be the equivalent of a temperate region's temperature.

Temperament: They mostly ignore each other in captivity and several of them can be kept in the same building or aquarium. They usually do not pose a danger to humans but their Japanese relatives, the Japanese Giant Salamanders, are known to be aggressive and are suspected to have attacked humans in the past. They may also react aggressively when handled, and their strong jaws are more than able to inflict strong bites.

Diet: Like all amphibians, this species is exclusively carnivorous. It feeds mainly on insects, crabs, shrimps, fish and other amphibians.

Social Needs: They mostly ignore each other, so it is possible to put several of them in the same tank, but keeping one on its own should also not be a problem.

Reproduction: They usually breed during Summer, from July to September. The female lays 400 to 500 eggs in an underwater cavity, in calm waters. The male then releases milt over them and guards the eggs for 50 to 60 days, until they hatch. This species may live up to 80 years.

Extra Information:
  • It is the largest known extant Amphibian, with a maximum size of 180 cm, though such individuals are mostly unheard of by now.
  • It is also the longest-lived amphibian.
  • It is estimated that, in three generations, 80% of their population disappeared due to overhunting and habitat loss.
  • Their Japanese relatives are thought to be the origin of the legend of the Kappa, a cryptid drowning people and animals.
  • It is entirely nocturnal.


Exhibit Examples


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