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Journalism of Courage
The video of giant ancient salamanders living inside caves in southwest China has sparked awe and concern within the scientific community, prompting the creature’s transfer to a local research facility for in-depth study.
Known for its unique features and said to have been around for over two centuries, this Chinese Giant Salamander, the largest living amphibian, has a distinctive cry resembling that of a newborn baby.
With a length of up to 5.9 feet and a weight of 140 pounds, this ancient creature possesses a large head, small eyes, and dark, wrinkled skin.
Watch video below;
Regrettably, the species now faces critical endangerment due to a significant decline in population over the last three decades, primarily attributed to over-harvesting for food and habitat destruction.
In captivity, giant salamanders typically live around 50 years, emphasising the need for comprehensive research to safeguard their survival.
Instagram users flooded the comments with a little concern, awe and even humour. One netizen posted, “Omg this is scarier than gecko,” while another user wrote, “I thought it was an anaconda but it was a salamander.” Creeped out by the size of the amphibian, another user commented, “It’s so scary”.
The Chinese Giant Salamander joins the ranks of its counterparts, the Japanese Giant Salamander and the American Hellbender, as the only remaining giants of their kind.
As efforts to protect this extraordinary creature intensify, conservationists worldwide have been called upon to address the imminent threats facing these ancient animals.
