Giant salamander in Xinhuang

Giant salamander in Xinhuang

　　The giant salamander, scientifically known as "Andrias davidianus," is the largest and most precious living amphibian in the world. Its call resembles the cry of a baby, hence the name "giant salamander." It is a Class II protected aquatic wildlife species in China and a key focus in agricultural industrialization and specialty agriculture development. Wild giant salamanders in Xinhuang County mainly inhabit mountain streams in towns such as Gongxi, where the water is clear, has low sand content, flows rapidly, and features cave environments with backflow.

　　The "giant salamander" is the largest species among amphibians, with a total length of up to 1 meter or more and a weight that can exceed 100 pounds. Its appearance is somewhat similar to that of a lizard, but it is comparatively stouter and flatter. Scientific studies show that young giant salamanders breathe through gills, while adults use lungs. The salamander has a flat, blunt-rounded head, a large mouth, underdeveloped eyes without eyelids. Its body is flattened in the front and gradually becomes laterally compressed toward the tail. There are distinct skin folds on both sides of the body, and its limbs are short and flat, with four fingers and five toes equipped with slight webbing. The tail is round, with fin-like structures on the upper and lower sides. The color of the giant salamander can change according to different environments, but it is generally grayish-brown. Its body surface is smooth and scaleless, but covered with various patterns and mucus. The ventral side of the body is lighter in color.

　　China listed the giant salamander as a Class II nationally protected wildlife species in 1988. Anyone selling giant salamanders must hold a "Cultivation License for Aquatic Wildlife," "Business and Utilization Permit," and "Transportation Certificate" issued and approved by the fisheries administration department, and apply to the local fisheries authority where the business is located.

　　The giant salamander is highly valuable as a nutritious food and also has notable medicinal benefits for beauty and health. According to the "Compendium of Materia Medica," the giant salamander can enhance intelligence, beautify the skin, enrich the blood and promote circulation, nourish yin and kidney, prevent cancer, and fight tumors, showing significant therapeutic effects on anemia and menstrual disorders. The liver of the giant salamander can clear the heart and improve vision, clear heat and toxins, enrich the blood and boost qi. Its stomach can effectively enhance gastric function and is particularly effective in treating stomach illnesses. The skin of the giant salamander contains 41%-61.3% collagen, the best natural substance for wrinkle removal and skin beautification, offering powerful cosmetic benefits. Research shows that the giant salamander is rich in metallothionein (MT), which can eliminate free radicals and excess heavy metal ions in the human body, thereby regulating microcirculation, preventing heavy metal poisoning, delaying aging, and aiding in the auxiliary treatment of Alzheimer's disease and cancer. The giant salamander can promote cellular DNA biosynthesis, enhance the body’s immunity, and improve disease resistance. A superantigen called PRCA can be extracted from the giant salamander, which the World Health Organization refers to as an "apoptosis-inducing factor for cancer cells." The muscle protein of the giant salamander contains 17 types of amino acids, including 8 essential ones required by the human body, with a total amino acid content of 91.92% and essential amino acids at 39.69%. Its nutritional value far exceeds that of sika deer meat. Due to its outstanding nutritional and medicinal value and delicious taste, it has been regarded as a tonic delicacy for centuries and is hailed as the "ginseng of the water." Cooking with giant salamander has a long history, and historically it has been sought after as a rare and luxurious dish. For example, the famous traditional Guizhou dish "Eight-Treasure Giant Salamander" has been popular for a long time.

　　Currently in the market, the price of a giant salamander ranges from 450 to 600 yuan for those 5-10 cm long, 600 to 800 yuan for those 10-20 cm long, and 800 to 1200 yuan for those 20-30 cm long. The black-market price for adult giant salamanders reaches over 2000 yuan per jin (500 grams).