Tokyo Salamander
1.2.0
Nomenclature: Hynobius tokyoensis
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Country of Origin: Kanto District on Honshu Island, Japan.
Information: This species is 1 of approximately 32 known species in the Hynobius (Asian Salamanders) genus and is an incredibly primitive are predominantly a Terrestrial species however they ca be Semi-aquatic for most of the year. They are an nocturnal species and mainly spend their terrestrial life cycle in tunnels dug by other fossorial species such as Earth Worms, Moles, Invertebrate etc.
Even though it is only classed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, this species is believed to be nearing extinction or possibly extinct in the wild in their distribution area surrounding Tokyo, the capital of Japan. It's main causes for the species decline is due to Habitat-loss such as drying out of their habitats, Pollution and of course the Pet Trade which has played the tiniest of parts in their decline. The family of Hynobiidae is a part of the suborder Cryptobranchoidea (Primitive Salamanders), the same suborder that the American Hellbender is apart of.
