Genera: 2 – Cryptobranchus (1) and Andrias (2)
Species: 3
Cryptobranchidae is named the Giant Salamander family because it contains the three largest living salamanders. All three of the species are in danger of becoming extinct. These salamanders have gill slits which is unique but they still also have lungs. They also don’t have eye lids.
The genus Cryptobranchus only has one species, the Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). The Hellbender is found in the Eastern United States. It’s the largest salamander in North America.
The genus Andrias contains two species, the Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus) and the Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus). The Chinese Giant Salamander is the largest salamander in the world while the Japanese Giant Salamander is the second largest.
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