Closure of "North Pole Encounter" for Renovation Suspension of Ocean Park Hong Kong App (Effective 1 July 2026)
Decorative imageDecorative image
Careers
Decorative imageDecorative image
Contact Us
Decorative imageDecorative image
Members Login
Stylized logo of blue mountains, water, and an orange crescent.Stylized logo of blue mountains, water, and an orange crescent.
Water World
Blue seahorse logo with waves in a white circleBlue seahorse logo with waves in a white circle
Ocean Park Corporation
Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.
Ticket & OfferA Day at the ParkPark InformationAnnual Membership Conservation & EducationPlan Your Events
Buy Ticket

  • Homepage
  • Conservation & Education
  • Animals & Plants
  • Chinese Giant Salamander
Amphibians

Chinese Giant Salamander

Scientific Name

Andrias davidianus

Other Common Name(s)

Chinese Salamander

Body Weight

Up to 65 kg

Body Length

Up to 2 m

Silhouette of a giant salamander next to a human for size comparison.
Giant salamander resting on a rock underwater.

Habitat

Mountain streams and rivers
River flowing through mountains

Diet

They feed on plankton during their juvenile stage and typically eat crustaceans, insects, and fish as adults.
Fish, scallop, squid, and shrimp.
Green seaweed on sandy bottom with bubbles.

Fun Facts

  • Chinese giant salamanders are the largest amphibians in the world.

  • Chinese giant salamanders are nocturnal. They live in muddy river bottoms and hide in rock crevices. Possessing poor eyesight, they prey on fish, insects and snails using smell and touch.

    • Giant salamander with grey, spotted skin in water, next to a green plant.
    Chinese giant salamander resting on rocks underwater.

    Distribution

    Endemic to China and native to Shanxi, Sichuan, Gansu, Henan, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Hunan, and Chongqing

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats & Conservation

    Threats

    • An axe and a hexagonal grid with red dotsAn axe and a hexagonal grid with red dots

      Overexploitation of Biological Resources

    • Forest fire with trees in the background.Forest fire with trees in the background.

      Human Disturbance & Ecosystem Disruption

    • Different types of microbesDifferent types of microbes

      Invasive Species & Diseases

    • Factory with smokestack emitting smokeFactory with smokestack emitting smoke

      Pollution

    Over-exploitation is the major threat driving Chinese giant salamanders towards extinction. They are captured as a delicacy. Their habitats are also destroyed by pollution as well as dams which alter the flow of water. Deforestation has caused excess soil to silt up rivers. Since the 1960s, the population of Chinese giant salamanders has experienced a drastic decline of over 80%.

    Conservation

    IUCN Red List graphic showing conservation statuses: Critically Endangered, with categories EW, CR, EN, VU, NT, LC, DD.
    CITES logo and text 'Appendix I'

    IUCN Red List

    • Critically Endangered

    Red List of China's Biodiversity

    • Critically Endangered

    CITES

    • Appendix I

    Conservation

    • Chinese Wildlife Conservation Law: Category 2

    • Protected under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong

    Support Mission R to protect animals & plants!

    Saving Species & Habitats

    Learn More
    Panoramic view of a blue bay, green hills, and islands under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

    Plastic Challenge

    Learn More
    Plastic bottles and styrofoam containers float in polluted water.

    Come and see our animals and plants

    Panda eating bamboo leaves, looking at camera with tongue out, in green foliage.Panda eating bamboo leaves, looking at camera with tongue out, in green foliage.

    Giant Panda Adventure

    Amazing Asian Animals | Waterfront

    Explore more animals & plants

    A giant panda walks on green grass surrounded by lush green plants.

    Mammals

    Giant Panda

    Large tortoise with its mouth open on sandy ground.

    Reptiles

    Aldabra Giant Tortoise

    Wet otter with white whiskers standing on rocks, looking forward.

    Mammals

    Asian Small-clawed Otter

    Ocean Park Hong Kong logo featuring a seal mascot splashing water and the Chinese text 香港海洋公園.

    Secure your membership today and embark on an extraordinary journey like no other! Join now

    ACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMSACCREDITED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS & AQUARIUMS
    World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) logo, featuring a grey elephant and a blue fish, with text 'WAZA | United for Conservation'.World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) logo, featuring a grey elephant and a blue fish, with text 'WAZA | United for Conservation'.
    Blue logo with white text "GLOBAL HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS" and animal silhouettes.Blue logo with white text "GLOBAL HUMANE CERTIFIED ZOOS & AQUARIUMS" and animal silhouettes.
    Accredited by the ALLIANCE of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums logoAccredited by the ALLIANCE of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums logo
    Gold icon with "Accredited Attraction" and "cr" textGold icon with "Accredited Attraction" and "cr" text

    Tickets and Offers

    Admission Ticket & Special OffersOcean FasTrackVIP Premium TourGroup Ticket

    A Day at the Park

    Latest EventsAttractionsDining & ShoppingGet Closer to the AnimalsFamily Fun ActivitiesHotelsRecommended ItinerariesPanda Zone

    Park Information

    Park CalendarGetting HereGuest ServicesPark Notices

    Annual Membership

    Ocean Park Annual MembershipMembership TiersMember PrivilegesCurrent MembersTicket Conversion

    Conservation & Education

    ConservationEducation

    Plan Your Event

    Corporate Events and ChartersPersonal Celebrations
    FAQ
    Press ReleasePark Rules and RegulationsWebsite Use & Access AgreementPersonal Information Collection StatementPrivacy Policy Statement

    Copyright © 2026 Ocean Park Hong Kong. All rights reserved.

    Ocean Park Corporation is a charitable institution registered with Inland Revenue Department, Hong Kong (File No: 91/2801).

    Ocean Park Hong Kong, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong | Tel: (852) 3923 2323 | Fax: (852) 2873 5584

    Ocean Park channel

    facebook.svgfacebook.svg
    instagram.svginstagram.svg
    weibo.svgweibo.svg
    rednote.svgrednote.svg
    youtube.svgyoutube.svg
    tiktok.svgtiktok.svg
    tripadvisor.svgtripadvisor.svg

    Panda channel

    instagram.svginstagram.svg
    rednote.svgrednote.svg
    tiktok.svgtiktok.svg