Currently, most salamanders found in the wild are hybrids. Purebred Japanese giant salamanders have been branded a "special national treasure" by the Japanese government.

KYOTO, Japan – In Japanese rivers, if you’re very lucky, you might find unusual amphibians that grow up to 5 feet long and look like strange cartoon dinosaurs. They are giant salamanders.

Environmental journalist Mara Budgen comes on the show to talk about the Japanese giant salamander, ... So they're kind of a speckled brown color, ... their shape is very different, ...

Japanese giant salamanders are considered to be a “near threatened” species, according to zoo and wildlife officials. The species had not been bred outside Japan in more than 100 years.

Wildlife biologist Jeff Corwin seeks to fulfill a lifelong dream: finding a Giant Japanese Salamander. Skip to main content. WBUR. 90.0 WBUR - Boston's NPR News Station.

The Japanese giant salamander might look like a lump of driftwood when stationary, but this creature goes with the flow and that's probably why it's so cool.

The Japanese giant salamander has been protected as a cultural property under Japanese law since it was declared a “special natural monument” in 1952, but conservationists say more needs to be ...

“The Japanese Giant Salamander Project is certainly one to be proud of. It is a perfect example of how innovation, passion, and collaboration can truly make a difference for an entire species.

Japanese traders started importing live giant salamanders from China in the 1960s as a novelty food item. As demand grew, so did concern that this new culinary penchant could lead to poaching of ...