A 200 year old creature was found living inside a cave in Chongqing province in southwestern China that apparently measures four and a half feet long and weighing almost 115 pounds according to local Chinese state media. 

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This could also be considered the largest amphibian and possibly the oldest one in the world.

This giant salamander is also considered to be critically endangered where scientists were able to transfer this creature into a research facility for further care and study.

The Chinese giant salamander also known as Andrias davidianus is almost extinct due to overhunting and habitat destruction where the International Union for Conservation of Nature already listed them as critically endangered. In the last 45 years, this giant freshwater creature already experienced more than 80 percent decline in their populations.

According to local Chinese reports, a fisherman discovered this creature when he accidentally stepped on something soft and slimy. Experts in the field suggest that this salamander is estimated to be more than 200 years old. Other members of its species can only live up to 80 years old in the wild and 55 years in captivity.

Scientists consider this ancient one the largest ever found, but the largest salamander on record measured reached 5.9 feet long.

The Chinese giant salamander is native to China where its habitat spans central, southwestern and southern regions of the nation. This particular type of salamander is generally slow moving where they dwell and breed in freshwaters like mountain rivers, big steams and in caves near forests. Since they are also nocturnal, they have poor eyesight where they rely on suction feeding to catch prey like fish, other salamanders, crayfish, snakes, worms, crabs and shrimp.

Tagsgiant salamander, china giant salamander, 200 year old salamander china, chinese giant salamander, amphibians, endangered salamander, Chongqing China