The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is the largest salamander and largest amphibian in the world, reaching a length of 180 cm (5.9 ft), although it rarely—if ever—reaches that size today. It is endemic to rocky, mountain streams and lakes in China. It also occurs in Taiwan, probably as a result of introduction.[3] It is considered critically endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and overcollection, as it is considered a delicacy and used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been listed as one of the top 10 "focal species" in 2008 by the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) project. The Chinese giant salamander is considered to be a “living fossil.”[4] This species is classified as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List because of a massive population decline of more than 80% since the 1950s.[5] @Curionic

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