Japanese Giant Salamander (Natural Monuments of Japan by Kaiyodo)

Review and images by Lanthanothus; edited by bmathison1972

Through their long history, the group we accept as amphibians was, and still is, very diverse. Among the many fossils a great number of species grew to sizes that are hardly imaginable for us today. The extinct Prionosuchus grew up to 9 metres, longer than any know specimens of the recent crocodiles. Most amphibians we are familiar with do not grow larger than an adults hand, in fact the majority of species is much smaller. While the biggest frog (Conraua goliath) grows up to around 30 cm from the tip of the snout to the end of its hip, the largest salamander (Andrias sligoi) can reach lengths of up to 1.8 metres. In this review we want to have a look on a close relative of this behemoth among contemporary Urodela, the Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus).

Kaiyodo is a Japanese brand which is known among many collectors worldwide for their high quality renditions of extinct and recent wildlife. A good deal of their figures are marketed as giveaways accompanying products like sweets or drinks, others are sold specifically as collectors` items, others are museum exclusives, often marketed just during short periods like temporary exhibitions. This, in addition to their accuracy and detail, makes them highly collectible and often pricey.

The figure introduced here is part of Kaiyodo`s Natural Monuments of Japan line, which was produced 2002 and now discontinued. Kaiyodo released at least four different figures of the Japanese giant salamander; another one will be introduced here soon.

The Japanese giant salamander can grow to over 1.5 metres and weigh over 25 kg. It inhabits fast flowing streams with clear and comparably cold water. Only males may leave the water during mating season to wander upstream, which in recent times happens much more often due to human build dams and other obstacles disturbing the natural habitat. The salamanders can breath air, but get a good deal of their oxygen through their skin which has a greatly improved surface due to the many folds along the sides of the body. They feed on worms, crayfish, insect larvae, fish, and whatever lives in the streams and fits into their mouth. While a lot of zoos worldwide exhibit Japanese (or Chinese) giant salamanders, few are successful in breeding.

This Kaiyodo rendition of the giant salamander measures 8.5 cm in direct length and 3.2 cm in height. It is made of a hard and brittle plastic, clearly a collectors item, and not a toy. The figure is assembled from six or seven parts (not sure anymore, and I do not want to take it apart) which fit so perfectly that all the seams are hidden to a degree, that an unsuspecting observer will not notice them at all.

Unlike the quiet and low profile of the animal, the figure is shown in a quite active pose. The hind legs attach the figure to the pile of riverbed rocks, the tail sways, the body curls to the right while the mouth holds fast on a silver fish. In terms of accuracy Kaiyodo could not have made it better. The sculpt is top-notch, showing the tiniest details of the skin. Also the paint job is natural and clean with the almost microscopic eyes point on.

Long discontinued, this lovely figure can best be bought via eBay. It is not cheap, but worth to hunt for to get it for a fair price.