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Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus) in-situ, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
The Department of Conservation and Research at the San Antonio Zoo works with Japanese biologists to conserve Japanese Giant Salamanders (Andrias japonicus). One project implements "salamander ladders" to help reconnect formerly isolated populations after the implementation of dams along the rivers where the amphibians live. The salamanders can not move around the dams and need assistance - the ladders allow movement around the impoundments.
The Japanese giant salamander is endemic to Japan, where it is known as ''Ōsanshōuo'' , literally meaning "giant pepper fish". With a length of up to almost 1.5 m , it is the second-largest salamander in the world, only being surpassed by the very similar and closely related Chinese giant salamander . There are only three known members of the Cryptobranchidae family: the Japanese and Chinese giant salamanders and the Eastern hellbender.
Japanese giant salamanders are widespread across.. more
