Japanese Giant Salamander moves, occasionally.
July 19, 2026
Upon entering Vivarium at Ueno Zoo, you'll hear the sound of flowing water and see a large tank that mimics a mountain stream environment. This tank houses Japanese Giant Salamander.
Japanese Giant Salamander is endemic to Japan and is distributed in Honshu west of Gifu Prefecture, as well as parts of Shikoku and Kyushu. It is also a national natural monument and is said to be one of the world's largest amphibians.
Now, can you spot Japanese Giant Salamander in the picture below?
During the day, they mostly stay still in hiding places such as under trees. They are just as motionless as Shoebill, which became famous for being an immobile bird. As a result, some visitors to the park may not even notice them.
Japanese Giant Salamander, which usually don't move around much, do move sometimes. That's when they're eating.
In the wild, they feed on aquatic creatures such as fish and Japanese Freshwater Crab. When prey comes close to their mouths, they open their mouths and suck in the prey along with the water in one go. Sometimes, when I'm cleaning the tank wearing waders, if my foot touches Japanese Giant Salamander 's mouth, it might mistake it for prey and try to eat me.
At Ueno Zoo, they feed the animals carp. When a piece of carp is placed on a stick and brought close to their mouths, they open their mouths and suck it up in one gulp. After they finish eating, they remain still and motionless again.
Another opportunity to see their entire body, besides when they're eating, is when they're breathing.
Japanese Giant Salamander are animals that breathe air with lungs (adults breathe air through their skin and lungs). They occasionally surface and stick their noses out of the water to breathe. When they do this, for some reason they go from their hiding place to a corner of the tank to breathe, and then return to their hiding place.
If you're lucky, you might be able to see it in motion or its whole body at that time.
If you visit Ueno Zoo, be sure to stop by Vivarium for a chance to try your luck.
[Ueno Zoo Reptile House Keeper]