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31.4849, 120.19

Field Notes

Description:

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus, 大鲵) is the largest salamander in the world, reaching a length of 180 cm (6 ft), although it rarely – if ever – reaches that size today. Endemic to rocky mountain streams and lakes in China, it is considered critically endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and over-collecting, as it is considered a delicacy and used in traditional Chinese medicine. Records from Taiwan may be the results of introductions.[2] It has been listed as one of the top-10 "focal species" in 2008 by the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) project.

Habitat:

he giant salamader is known to vocalize, making barking, whining, hissing, or crying sounds.[5] Some of these vocalizations bear a striking resemblance to the crying of a young human child, and as such it is known in the Chinese language as "infant fish" (娃娃鱼 / 鲵).[6] However, this is impossible as the Salamander lacks vocal chords.

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Photographed
PublishedMay 28, 2012

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