Giant salamander, commonly known as giant salamander, mermaid and giant salamander, belongs to the transitional group from aquatic vertebrates to terrestrial vertebrates. It is a rare and protected animal unique to China. Because their cries are similar to those of children, many people are used to calling them "giant salamanders".

Although the giant salamander is called a fish, it is actually not a fish, but an amphibian living in fresh water. It belongs to a large family of frogs and toads, and its teeth are arranged in the upper and lower jaws. Eyes are small, located in the back of the head; There is also a big flat tail, which looks a bit like a gecko climbing on the wall, but its body is much bigger, generally about 1 meter long and weighs 5? 6 kg, the longest can reach 1.8 meters, which is the largest tailed amphibian in the world.

Distribution range of giant salamander

Giant salamander is widely distributed and found in Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Guangxi (North), Sichuan, Hebei, Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces (autonomous regions).

Mainly living in the streams with clear and swift water and low water temperature in mountainous areas, hiding in the cracks of the streams. Oviposition in late summer, about 500 eggs each time, 2? It can hatch into larvae after 4 weeks.

Its food includes fish, shrimp, frogs, tadpoles and earthworms. It often moves at night and swims by constantly swinging its tail and trunk. When swimming, its four legs cling to the sides of its body to reduce the resistance to progress. When moving underwater, the abdomen sticks to the ground, the hind legs push the body forward, and the front legs change the direction of movement.