Culture Arena
China · Nature & Wildlife · Hard
Which species of giant salamander (Andrias davidianus), endemic to China and growing up to 1.8 metres, is the largest amphibian in the world and is critically endangered due to habitat loss and overharvesting for the luxury food market?
Answer: Chinese giant salamander — The Chinese giant salamander (wa wa yu, 'baby fish', because its distress call sounds like a crying infant) is a 'living fossil' from the Middle Jurassic. Over 2 million are estimated to exist on farms, but genetically pure wild populations may now number only a few hundred.
- A Japanese giant salamander
- B Hellbender
- C Olm
- D Chinese giant salamander ✓
The Chinese giant salamander (wa wa yu, 'baby fish', because its distress call sounds like a crying infant) is a 'living fossil' from the Middle Jurassic. Over 2 million are estimated to exist on farms, but genetically pure wild populations may now number only a few hundred.