Animal Profiles
Amphibians

Giant Salamander

Andrias davidianus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Chinese giant salamanders are large aquatic amphibians with broad heads and flattened bodies. This account retains Andrias davidianus while recognising that older accounts combined several distinct Chinese lineages.

Andrias davidianus (giant salamander)

Captive Chinese giant salamander photographed as Andrias davidianus; its exact lineage is unverified.

Petr Hamerník · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Rivers and lakes
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Fish, crustaceans and other aquatic animals.

Classification

Common name
Giant Salamander
Browse group
Amphibians
Scientific name or taxon
Andrias davidianus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Caudata
Family
Cryptobranchidae
Genus
Andrias
Source classification
Amphibia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It remains aquatic as an adult.
  • Males guard the developing eggs.
  • Chinese giant salamanders include multiple distinct species.

Habitat and range

These salamanders live in Chinese freshwater systems, sheltering in submerged cavities and along stream banks. The historical Chinese giant-salamander range includes several species and extensive human translocations, so it cannot all be assigned to Andrias davidianus.

Appearance and adaptations

A broad, flattened head, small eyes and a muscular tail suit life underwater. Mottled skin and a low body profile help a resting salamander blend with the stream bottom.

Diet and behaviour

They ambush aquatic animals, including fish, crabs and other amphibians, drawing prey in with suction. Activity is mainly nocturnal. Breeding males guard eggs in sheltered underwater sites.

Sources

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