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Japanese Clawed Salamander

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description Japanese Clawed Salamander Overview

The Japanese clawed salamander (Onychodactylus japonicus) is a species of amphibian in the family Hynobiidae native to the mountainous streams of Japan. As a lungless species, it breathes entirely through its skin and is distinguished by the small, dark, keratinous claw-like tips on its digits. These unique claws provide traction, allowing the salamander to grip slippery rocks in the fast-flowing, well-oxygenated streams of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu where it lives and breeds.

help Japanese Clawed Salamander FAQ

How did the Japanese clawed salamander get its name?

It is distinguished by the small, dark, keratinous claw-like tips found on its digits. These unique physical traits help it grip the rocky environments where it lives.

Where is the natural habitat of the Japanese clawed salamander?

This amphibian is native to the mountainous streams of Japan. It requires cold, fast-flowing freshwater environments to thrive and reproduce.

What family does the Japanese clawed salamander belong to?

It belongs to the family Hynobiidae, which consists of Asian salamanders. Its specific scientific classification is Onychodactylus japonicus.

How does the Japanese clawed salamander breathe without lungs?

As a lungless species, it absorbs oxygen entirely through its highly permeable skin. This physiological trait requires it to remain in consistently moist, aquatic environments.

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