Japanese Clawed Salamander (Onychodactylus japonicus): facts, sounds & photos

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Japanese Clawed Salamander (Onychodactylus japonicus) lives in temperate forests, rivers across Japan. It feeds on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. Its conservation status is Least Concern.

Fascinating facts about the Japanese Clawed Salamander

A salamander that stays under 7 inches can still patrol both water and land, hunting clams, snails and shrimp in streams before swapping to worms, spiders and flies on forest floors. This dual menu shows how it bridges aquatic and terrestrial food webs, linking two habitats that often stay separate.
Its orange-striped back and orange head spots stand out against the thin brown skin.
Endemic to Japan, this species lives in the country’s temperate forests and rivers.

At a glance

RangeJapan

HabitatTemperate forests, rivers

DietAquatic and terrestrial invertebrates

About the Japanese Clawed Salamander

The Japanese clawed salamander, Onychodactylus japonicus, inhabits temperate forests and rivers in Japan, measures about 4 to 7 inches in length, has thin brown skin with an orange stripe along its back and orange spots on its head and legs, and feeds on aquatic invertebrates such as clams, snails, and shrimp, as well as terrestrial invertebrates like worms, spiders, and flies.

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