Giant Japanese salamander roams city street

[yuiyoshida]

Rare sighting of legendary creature prompts call to police, which manage to coax enormous amphibian back into a nearby river

There are salamanders, and there is the giant Japanese salamander, a slug-like behemoth that is nocturnal and rarely encountered by humans–and for that humans should be thankful.

These legendary critters, which can weigh to 55 pounds and measure 5 feet long, reside in swift-flowing rivers and almost never stray far from their watery confines.

However, one of the slimy amphibians broke tradition recently and decided to stroll down a street in broad daylight in Kyoto, Japan. (See the video clip.)

“Probably on its way to an elementary school playground buffet of children,” joked Tokyo Desu.

Police were summoned and roped off the street, and eventually managed to coax the creature back to its home waters of the Kamo River, leaving Kyoto residents to breathe easier.

[xfundy]

1. Since it got a dose of radiation

it feels more social. This is godzilla II. Run!

[silverweb]

2. My first thought, too!

[A Little Weird]

3. Cool!

I'll bet that caused quite a stir! It looks a lot like our hellbender - a lot bigger though.



http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2014/0710/Could-North-America-s-largest-salamander-go-extinct-video

[eppur_se_muova]

5. They are related, as is the Chinese giant salamander.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8497330.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_salamander

[A Little Weird]

6. Thanks for the info

Strange creatures. It sucks that they all appear to be imperiled.

[PeoViejo]

8. Hellbenders will bite.

I watched on crawl into its burrow and decided I would grab it by the tail and pull it out. Well, I got a hold of its tail easily enough, when it spun around and grabbed me by the wrist. I couldn't let go fast enough.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. Wow -- these are rare, and in danger of extinction --

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x229692

This may actually be one of the Japanese-Chinese hybrids, which are taking over -- Chinese giant salamanders were introduced to Japan, where they are threatening the existence of the less aggressive Japanese native species.

[COLGATE4]

7. I, for one, welcome the arrival of our

Giant Salamander Overlords.

[littlemissmartypants]

10. Ditto.

Backbone or none. I love the slithering.

[littlemissmartypants]

9. Running for their lives to escape the water we have ruined.

Sorry buddy. Want a hug?

Love, Peace and Shelter. Lmsp

[packman]

11. Wait, you mean it's not on the menu

UMM, Salamander sushi.

[lastlib]

12. "History shows again and again how Nature...

...points up the folly of Man...." "GODZILLA!"


(sorry--couldn't resist! )

[Brigid]

13. Yikes! Godzilla is real!