SALAMANDERS

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Largest amphibians are the Giant Salamanders of China, and Japan, specimens of which have been known to grow up to 1.5m (5ft) long.		Longest lived amphibians are probably Japanese Giant Salamanders, specimens of which have lived up to 60 years in captivity.
Some salamanders never grow into adults. The Mexican axlotl keeps its feathery gills and matures sexually as a larva. Only a few change into adults.	If attacked some salamanders can leave their tails behind! The tail continues thrashing after it breaks off, which distracts the attacker and gives the salamander time to escape. It later grows a new tail.	The Romans thought that the salamander could walk through fire without harm.

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