CHINESE GIANT SALAMANDER

To the left. It looks like a rock, but its a salamander.

Thks blackduiker for posting a pic of this beautiful creature. Hopefully one day i will see it. Also I wondering how there exhibit is set up I'm hoping with a mini waterfall, trees , moss, mud and I'm hoping the water is flowing fast like in the natural environment. Thks again mateo

Did it show signs of movement? London kept a Japanese Giant for many years, compared to which the Giant Pandas were on helium!!

I agree. Just like koalas, giant salamanders are zoo rarities that are hyped up as a great attraction but a real dud when you finally see them in person.

Giant salamanders certainly aren't the most active of creatures, but I do recall seeing the Cincinnati Zoo's Chinese giants moving around on several occasions. That's more than I can say for Columbus' koalas and Memphis' giant pandas.

After watching people's reaction to it I will have to respectfully disagree with that, at least for the LA Zoo. Several people were heard saying "Whoa!" when they saw it and there was a constant flow of people in front of its tank that seemed interested in it.

Presentation does make a difference. LAIR looks a very impressive building. London's specimen was in a tank at the end of a corridor in the Aquarium, with nothing to indicate its rarity.

I'm afraid that I still wonder how often the keepers walked past it before realising that it was dead...

On future visits, I'll try getting better photos of this, and other species, in their new habitats.

Beautiful creature! I would be fascinated when seeing this animal.

How is its enclosure?

There are two tanks that are connected. Only one was occupied on opening day. The tanks are a good size and there are nooks and crannies for the animal to use if it is feeling shy.


There was a docent stationed next to it to show it to people and interpret it. I think that this greatly helped people appreciate it.