The Giant Salamander: A Living Fossil 2004
Distributed by Chip Taylor Communications, 2 East View Drive, Derry, NH 03038-4812; 800-876-CHIP (2447)
Produced by TV Ontario
Director n/a
DVD, color, 30 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Science, Biology, Animal Behavior
Date Entered: 02/08/2006
Reviewed by Geetha Yapa, Science Library, University of California, RiversideThe Japanese Giant Salamander is a living fossil that has survived on earth for more than 30 million years. They are amphibians who inhabit cold, fast-flowing, oxygen and nutrient rich mountain streams and rivers in Japan. They are very rare animals and are considered a special national treasure. This film covers the life history of the animal and their evolution through millions of years.
Salamanders are the world’s largest amphibians and the film provides detailed information about the physiological characteristics they share with other amphibians. The program also provides a very rare opportunity of observing them under water in their pristine habitat. The viewers get to see their feeding behavior and follow their travel upstream through land and water for reproduction. The obstacle faced by these animals are highlighted, specially the lack of suitable habitat for breeding due to human intervention. Included too is information about work done by researchers using modern technology to trace their evolution.
The quality of the film is very good with superb underwater photography and clear narration. Highly recommended for any library with biology/life sciences collections.