Andrias – Giant salamanders

The skin of giant salamanders is wrinkled and spotted with patterns of black and brown. While some have darker brown patches, others have lighter ones. These salamanders have a remarkable regenerative ability and can, if necessary, produce new skin and bone.

The aquatic and nocturnal giant salamanders are typically seen hiding against the bottoms of streams and rivers when they are active at night. Due to habitat loss, water pollution, and overharvesting of natural populations, the giant salamander faces a grave threat of extinction. As a result, one of the genus members, the Chinese Giant Salamander, has experienced catastrophic population reductions and is now classified by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered.