Gigantic salamander-- Crazily not a hoax

www.impactlab.com...-58948

I have to start out by saying that when I first saw this picture, I had no doubt it was photoshopped. After reading, and following a few links, I realized this was a real salamander.

These animals are five feet long and average about 55 pounds. They are found in China and Japan. I had no idea these creatures existed and thought I would pass it along.






Smithsonian National Zoological Park



[edit on 20/7/2010 by Chamberf=6]

The Smithsonian link that I added above is only about the Japanese Giant Salamander, but China has a similar species as well.
Who knew?

reply to post by Chamberf=6

Wow they look like the president from my country .

I'm sure I'll regret asking this, but where are you from? What president?

reply to post by Chamberf=6


wow that thing looks alien i would probably squeal like a little girl if i walked around a bend and one was a few feet from me.

Wow, that is the mother (father?) of all salamanders

I used to have a mudpuppy. They turn into salamanders and are about 3 inches long when full grown. It was a lot cuter than the one in your pic

reply to post by snowspirit


If someone wanted one of these giants as a pet they would need to almost have their own room in the house.

I love salamanders and mudpuppies! However, that HUGE one is kinda' creepy. I'm afraid I'd soil myself if I walked up on that unexpectedly.

reply to post by Chamberf=6


I actually really want to know what President too

Star and a wee flag love crazy stories like this!

Did you ever play Earthworm Jim for the Megadrive where for one level you became a salamander and had to navigate a maze followed by a quiz?

Giant Salamander

Tastes Like Chicken !!

PurpleDOG UK

....and I thought hellbenders were huge

I hope those things don't run fast? That is one cool, but spooky looking creature!

reply to post by hillbilly4rent


Forgot about hellbenders.
I've seen a few of those on camping and canoe trips I've taken. Weird creatures--weirder name

That thing is freaky looking, if i was still a child i probably would try to saddle and ride it


I was curious about hellbenders , i have never heard of them, poked around and found this :





~meathead

It is in the family of salamanders that also have a relative in North America called the Hellbender which can reach 2.5 feet in length. Good find none the less. S+F

DOH!!!!IT appears someone beat me to it. lol...oops...
SEE above post and video...

[edit on 20/7/10 by Shadowed]

[edit on 20/7/10 by Shadowed]

reply to post by Shadowed


Yeah but this thing makes the hellbender look like a dwarf. Hellbenders have surprised me on the river and made me jump, but those giant salamanders might send me looking for a fresh pairs of drawers...

[edit on 20/7/2010 by Chamberf=6]

Sorry but I had to put what that picture reminded me of and it just now hit me.
Jabba the Hut. It's been this nag at the back of my mind. But that's all -- just had to get that out. LOL

[edit on 21/7/2010 by Chamberf=6]

Dang, people! Quit wrestling with the critters! Leave it alone. Put it back! They're not doing anything to you but minding their own business. And someone just figures, 'Oh, how pretty! Let's handle it with our cooties. It won't mind a few snapshots!'

But it's beautiful in its own special way!

hmmmmm... hope i dont see that on a restaurant menu

Wow, never seen one of those before.

Makes me wonder... All of those eye witness accounts about weird creatures that are based on a lot of myths (like they go after in "Destination Truth") are probably animals like this one and others we may have not even found yet. For all we know there are animals that self-reproduce and there are only 5 of them in the whole world and they're creepy as all hell...

Anyway, it does make sense that most accounts of some 'killer creature' is more than likely something that someone just doesn't understand or is uneducated about (and I don't mean that offensively to anyone who has seen some sort of animal they believe to be mythical in some way).