On January 11, 2009, Japanese Giant Salamander physical measurements were taken at Vivarium of Ueno Zoo. Measurements are taken once a year. The data is sent to the Asa Zoological Park, which maintains data on Japanese Giant Salamander captive animals in Japan. The measurements are total length (from the tip of the head to the tip of the tail) and weight.

For body measurements, Japanese Giant Salamander must be removed from the tank. However, since the body surface of the giant sunfish is slimy with mucus, it is difficult to catch it with bare hands.

Therefore, we use a "stretcher" (a plastic sheet with a handle), which is used to move tuna from Tokyo Sea Life Park, to remove them from the tank. We then quickly measure the length and weight of the tuna, and return them to the tank.

However, Japanese Giant Salamander also moves around a lot, as if it senses something unusual. In addition, white mucus, which the fish secretes when it senses danger, comes out from the surface of its body. The smell of this mucus is difficult to remove even after washing. The staff member's hands were covered with this smell all day long after the measurements were taken. The smell is often said to be similar to that of sansho (Japanese pepper), which is said to be the origin of the name of the salamander (sansho ichthyosaur).

In reality, however, although it does resemble the smell of sansho, it is still a unique odor that is difficult to describe.

Measurements showed that the total length and weight of the fish were almost the same as last year (2008). The largest of the three captives was 115 cm in length and weighed 12 kg. The smallest was 82 cm in length and weighed 3.75 kg.

Reference: News "Tuna have arrived! (Photo of a "stretcher" used to transport tuna)

[Ueno Zoo Yusuke Saito, Exhibition Section, Reptile Museum] (March 27, 2009)

(March 27, 2009)