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    Cryptobranchidae – Giant salamanders

    Nearly 1.8 m (6 ft) in length and living up 60 years, these “living fossils” are the largest of the amphibians

    A tiny group of huge aquatic salamanders is found in Asia and North America. The two genera within this family are Andrias, found in Japan and China, and Cryptobranchus inhabits the eastern United States. Giant salamanders are the largest amphibians in the world, with some species reaching up to 1.8 meters (6 ft) in length and weighing over 30 kg (65 pounds).

    They have a distinctive appearance, with a broad head, tiny eyes, and a wide, flattened body. Giant salamanders are carnivorous, night-feeding on fish, crayfish, and other aquatic animals. Due to their size and elusive nature, little is known about their behavior and ecology. Some species are threatened or endangered due to habitat destruction, pollution, and other human activities.