Zoology

Class Osteichthyes

Andrias japonicas (Japanese giant salamander)

Japanese Giant Salamander
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Cryptobranchidae
Genus: Andrias
Species: japonicas

•Detailed description of the organism
Japanese giant salamanders are about 55 pounds and five feet long. Brown and black skin helps them blend in with the streambeds where they live.

•Habitat

They inhabit the mountain streams and rivers of Japan.

•Diet

They eat almost anything they can including insects, fish, mice, and even small invertebrates like crabs. Their very slow metabolism enables them to go weeks without eating, if necessary.

•Zoological features

Their flat bodies are streamlined for swimming at the bottom of fast-moving water. Giant salamanders are covered in mucus, which protects their bodies from parasites. The giant salamander absorbs oxygen through its skin. Loose folds of skin along its sides increase surface area to help absorb even more oxygen.Adults have lungs as well as gill slits.

•Basic Growth and development cycles

–Males fight during breeding season. Many die because of the fights. Females lay between 400 and 500 eggs which can be fertilized by more than one male. Males guard the nests, which may contain eggs from several females, until they hatch in the early spring.