Huge Salamanders

Most salamanders are less than a foot long. But some species grow to monumental proportions!

I will be talking about the three largest salamander species: the Hellbender, the Japanese Giant Salamander, and the Chinese Giant Salamander.

                                                        Hellbender

• Size: Up to 2 and 1/2 feet long, the average length is 2 feet.
• Only lives in: The United States of America.
• Metamorphosis occurs at: 1 1/2 years old.
• Life span: Up to 30 years.
• Diet: Crayfish and small fish.
• Strange fact: Though solitary animals, a dozen or more females may use the same nest.

                                                 Japanese Giant Salamander

• Size: Up to nearly 5 feet long.
• Only lives in: Japan
• Metamorphosis occurs at: Does not metamorphosise.
• Life span: Up to 80 years.
• Diet: Insects, frogs, and fish.
• Interesting fact: A threatened J.G.S. can smell like pepper.

                                                 Chinese Giant Salamander

• Size: Up to nearly 6 feet.
• Only lives in: China.
• Metamorphosis occurs at: Does not metamophosise.
• Life span: Up to 80 years.
• Diet: Insects, frogs, and fish.
• A C.G.S. makes a sound very much like the sound of a baby crying.