DID YOU KNOW?

STRAPPING SALAMANDER

Chinese giant salamanders, the world’s largest amphibian, can grow as long as an adult human – 1.8m – and weigh up to 50kg. Sadly they are now endangered because of exploitation for human consumption.

JAPANESE GIANT

Though smaller than their cousins just across the East China Sea, Japanese giant salamanders – 1.5m – can be seen relatively easily in the rivers outside the small town of Nichinan, Tottori Prefecture. The town has adopted the salamander as its mascot and a local expert organises carefully managed tours for visitors.