The Japanese giant salamander is the second largest salamander in the world, after the Chinese giant salamander. It grows to around five feet in length.
Image Credit: Poppy Chandler/Icon Films
Jeremy Wade uses protective gloves to capture a Japanese giant salamander. The gloves are necessary so that the salamander doesn't slip out of his hands or inflict a painful bite!
Image Credit: Poppy Chandler/Icon Films
Jeremy nets a feisty Japanese giant salamander. Unlike other salamanders, Japanese giant salamanders seldom ever venture onto land. Instead, they breach their heads above the surface to obtain air.
Image Credit: Poppy Chandler/Icon Films
Japanese giant salamanders have what is called "nocturnal super senses." They sport sensory cells on their skin to help them detect vibrations in their environment in the water.
Image Credit: Poppy Chandler/Icon Films
The Japanese giant salamander is also known as Ōsanshōuo, or "giant pepper fish," in reference to the odorous, milky secretion (which smells just like a Japanese pepper) that they produce when threatened.
Image Credit: Poppy Chandler/Icon Films
Although the Japanese giant salamander has no natural predators, it may be at risk of extinction in the near future because of continued hunting, over-collection, pollution and loss of habitat.
More Killer Fish Photos | About the Japanese Giant Salamander | How to Catch a Giant Salamander (video) | Diving for Monsters (video) | Japanese Giant Salamander (video) | Fish With Arms and Hands? (video)
Image Credit: Poppy Chandler/Icon Films
![Japanese giant salamanders have what is called "nocturnal super senses." ...](http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/killer-fish-japanese-giant-salamander-pictures3.jpg "Japanese giant salamanders have what is called "nocturnal super senses." ...")
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