The largest amphibian in the world: the Chinese giant salamander. The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the largest representative of salamanders in the world. Individual specimens of the Chinese giant giant salamander can reach a length of 180 centimeters (6 feet), although nowadays it is very rare to see giants.
This species is endemic to mountain rivers and lakes in China. One of the conditions necessary for the survival of the Chinese gigantic salamander is clean and very cold water.
To date, this species is considered to be endangered due to habitat destruction, environmental pollution and targeted destruction, since giant amphibian meat is considered a delicacy and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
In the Czech capital, Carlo lives from 2014: he came here for a time from the Karlsruhe Zoo, where a new aviary is being built for him. Together with him, two other relatively large salamanders live in Prague: a female named Shmitz reaches 105 cm in length, and the male Natal – 134 cm. In the exposition one can also see several half-meter individuals.
