We are working to protect the future of giant salamanders

Since its opening, Kyoto Aquarium has participated in surveys and research on giant salamanders in the Kamo River system, which are primarily conducted by the Kyoto City Cultural Properties Protection Division and the Nishikawa Laboratory at Kyoto University, and has cooperated as a breeding facility for rescued specimens.
We also strive to become a forum for disseminating information so that more people can learn about the appearance and current status of giant salamanders.
This time, we will introduce some of the activities related to giant salamanders.

New exhibit corner "The Giant Salamander, Lord of the Kamo River" opens

In September 2022, we opened a new exhibition corner in the "The River of Kyoto" area, entitled "The Giant Salamander, Lord of the Kamo River."
Where do giant salamanders live? What do they look like? What do they eat?
We are also working to create exhibits that will raise awareness of giant salamanders, including the issue of hybrids that result from crossbreeding between native Japanese species and introduced species.

■ Larvae and juveniles now on display

"The Giant Salamander, Lord of the Kamo River" has begun exhibiting larvae and juvenile giant salamanders, a first for a permanent exhibit.
Before metamorphosis, individuals with gills are called larvae, while after metamorphosis, individuals that look the same as adults but are not yet capable of reproduction are called juveniles. Both the larvae and juveniles on display at our museum are hybrids.

The ecology and lifespan of giant salamanders are still shrouded in mystery, and there are no detailed records of the growth of hybrid individuals, either domestically or internationally.
Therefore, Kyoto Aquarium began raising hybrid individuals from larvae and recording their growth in order to verify differences in the growth process between them and native species.
The larvae currently on display are those that grow from around January to February, and the young ones were discovered during a habitat survey that we participated in in April.

Currently (※), the larvae are about 7-10cm long, and are estimated to have hatched about 10 months ago. As they are growing rapidly every day, their length and weight are measured once a month.
The young are about 25cm long, estimated to be 5-6 years old after hatching. Despite their small size, they look almost identical to adults.
*As of September 2022. The photo below shows the measurements taken at the beginning of collection.

It is estimated that it takes native species approximately 17 to 18 years from hatching until they become reproductively capable adults (there are various theories).
The nature of hybrid individuals is still unknown, so we hope to be able to elucidate many things by observing their growth process.

If you come to Kyoto Aquarium, please join us in watching the giant salamanders grow.

■ Survey of giant salamanders

Kyoto Aquarium is accompanying field surveys of giant salamanders in the Kamo River system, which are being conducted primarily by Kyoto City and Kyoto University.
The survey was conducted six times in 2021, with animal care staff actually conducting field surveys.

The survey will investigate the distribution status within Kyoto City and protect the species as necessary. Furthermore, since it is impossible to distinguish between native, introduced, and hybrid individuals based on appearance, newly captured individuals will be DNA-tested at Kyoto University.

Recently, at the request of Kyoto City, we protected an injured native species of giant salamander.
He has received veterinary treatment and is currently being monitored in a tank in the back yard of Kyoto Aquarium.

Kyoto Aquarium will continue to carry out a variety of activities to allow people to get a close look at giant salamanders, learn about their characteristics, and think about the fascinating world of animals and the importance of the natural environment around us.

Kyoto Aquarium is running a sustainability promotion project called "AQTION!" (Action) to pass the baton to the future of the Earth.
We will work together with children and local communities, who will be the future leaders, to address global and social issues that can only be seen at an aquarium.