Ueno Zoo Vivarium (vivarium) took Japanese Giant Salamander body measurements on July 14, 2014.

Japanese Giant Salamander is an animal endemic to Japan that has been designated as a Special Natural Monument and is the largest amphibian in the world.

I take regular body measurements to manage my health, but how do I capture Japanese Giant Salamander, which is elusive from the ...... of the eyes? animal keeper puts on the torso length and goes directly into the tank, and the two of them catch it using a tuna stretcher borrowed from Tokyo Sea Life Park. Nocturnal creatures often stay still during the day, but on this day they sensed a different atmosphere than usual and moved around a lot.

The captured Japanese Giant Salamander is given to the measurement team waiting outside the tank on a stretcher, and the weight, total length (from the tip of the rostrus tip to the tip of the tail), and the length of the head and body (from the tip of the rostrus tip to the total excretory outlet) are quickly measured and returned to the tank.

When measuring the total length, I use a animal keeper handmade measuring instrument that has been passed down from generation to generation in Vivarium. The surface of the Japanese Giant Salamander 's body is covered with slimy mucus, so it is difficult to measure it even more, but the white mucus secreted when you feel danger comes out, making it even more difficult. Moreover, this white mucus emits an indescribable peculiar smell. There is a theory that this smell resembles the scent of sansho pepper, so it was named "Japanese Giant Salamander", but when you actually smell it, it does not resemble the scent of sansho pepper, and it can no longer be described as a "Japanese Giant Salamander smell".

After such a hard work, the body measurement of all three raised individuals was successfully completed in about 30 minutes. The largest individual weighed 13 kg and was 115 cm long, while the smallest individual weighed 6.5 kg and was 85 cm long. All of them were larger than the previous measurements, and the person in charge was relieved.

Above: Removing Japanese Giant Salamander from the tank using a stretcher for tuna
Bottom photo: Body measurement while holding down the slippery body

[Ueno Zoo Both are insect museum breeding and exhibition staff Kawasaki Cocoon]

(2014/07/25)