Chinese Giant Salamander: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Wild Mix · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. This salamander is a true giant: it can grow to 1.8 m long and weigh up to 50 kg.
2. Some of its calls sound remarkably like a small child crying. That is why its Chinese name means "infant fish".
3. Its eyesight is very poor, so it relies on a line of special sense spots running from head to tail that pick up the tiniest ripples.
4. Dad is on guard duty. The female lays 400 to 500 eggs in an underwater hollow, and the male watches over them until they hatch.
5. When food is scarce, it can go without eating for several years, living on reserves stored in its body.

The quiz

1. How long can a Chinese giant salamander grow?

• 10 cm
• 1.8 m (correct)
• 30 cm
• 5 m

It can reach 1.8 m in length and 50 kg in weight.

2. Why is it called "infant fish" in Chinese?

• It is very small
• It only eats baby fish
• Some of its calls sound like a crying child (correct)
• It lives in nurseries

Some of its calls sound strikingly like a young child crying.

3. How does it make up for its poor eyesight?

• It senses vibrations with spots along its body (correct)
• It uses echolocation like a bat
• It follows other fish
• It only comes out at noon

A line of sense spots from head to tail picks up tiny vibrations.

4. Who guards the eggs?

• Nobody
• Older brothers and sisters
• The female alone
• The male (correct)

The male guards the breeding hollow until the eggs hatch.

5. How long can a Chinese giant salamander go without food?

• Only one day
• Several years (correct)
• One hour
• Two days

It can fast for several years, using its body's reserves.

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries