# Chinese Giant Salamander (*Andrias davidianus*)

> The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the world's largest amphibian, reaching about 1.5 m and 25 kg in cool mountain streams of central and southern China. It hunts fish and invertebrates by night and is Critically Endangered in the wild after overharvesting for food and medicine plus damming of streams — despite large numbers on farms.

- **Category:** Amphibian
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Critically Endangered
- **Range:** Mountain streams of central and southern China; critically depleted in the wild.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/chinese-giant-salamander/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Amphibia
- **Order:** Urodela
- **Family:** Cryptobranchidae
- **Genus:** Andrias

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Andrias davidianus |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Cool, clear mountain rivers and streams |
| Lifespan | Around 50 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 25 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 5 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered (IUCN) |

## Largest living amphibian

Flattened heads, tiny eyes, and wrinkled skin folds increase oxygen uptake in cool water. They can exceed 1.5 m — far larger than hellbenders or mudpuppies.

## Sit-and-wait stream predator

Diet includes fish, frogs, worms, crabs, and other stream animals detected by touch and lateral-line senses more than sharp vision. Across its range it is tied to cool, clear mountain rivers and streams, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Central and southern China rivers

Cool, clear mountain rivers and streams of central and southern China — now fragmented by dams and pollution. Across its range it is tied to cool, clear mountain rivers and streams, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Critically Endangered despite farms

Farmed animals number in the millions, yet wild populations collapsed from hunting and hybridisation with released farm stock. IUCN lists wild Andrias Critically Endangered; distinct lineages may be separate species.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the world's largest amphibian?

The Chinese giant salamander, with adults potentially over 1.5 m long.

### Why are wild Chinese giant salamanders Critically Endangered?

Overharvest for luxury food, stream engineering, and genetic mixing with farmed animals.

### Do farms help wild salamanders?

Farm numbers are high, but releases can harm wild genetics; true wild recovery needs protected streams and lineage-aware management.

### How do giant salamanders breathe?

Mainly through skin; cool, oxygen-rich water is essential.

### Where do Chinese giant salamanders live?

Mountain streams of central and southern China. Native range summary: Mountain streams of central and southern China; critically depleted in the wild.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/chinese-giant-salamander/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.