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Giant Salamander discovered on Banks of Kamogawa River by Local Police

By Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway California Realty DRE #01492138

July 07, 2014 08:27 AM

Giant Salamander discovered on Banks of Kamogawa River by Local Police

According to Japanese networks and local US TV stations, yesterday a giant salamander climbed out of the Kamogawa River in Kyoto, Japan. Locals alerted the police of the "kappa" and the police stood by until the giant salamander returned to the water.

According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, these giant salamanders are approximately 55 pounds and five feet long. Their brown/black skin allow them to blend in within their environment. They are covered with a mucus substance and when agitated, they produce a milky substance that smells like peppers.

The giant sea creature commonly know as "kappa" passed down in Japanese folklore is now believed to be actually exist as a giant salamander but is harmless to people.

These creatures are known to be in China, Japan and a similar specie lives in the Eastern United States.

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Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Bette,

They did not say what state so hopefully not Pennsylania. Usually nothing disturbs me but I would be on heightened alert.

Jul 07, 2014 11:29 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Bob,

I have to agree with you. I am sure this would be disturbing and no wonder their is folklore about a swiming creature. It is enough to make someone have a heart attack.

Jul 07, 2014 11:30 AM

David Shamansky

US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO

Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

I have seen these on animal planet and river monsters too. They are an incredible animal. You would never think of any of those getting this large but these guys sure do

Jul 07, 2014 01:37 PM

Lisa Friedman

Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT

35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Kristin, wow, that was very interesting. I used to have a salamander in my fish tank, but he was only about two inches.

Jul 07, 2014 02:19 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi David,

This guy is huge and I would be just happy to never see him in real life. CREEPY...

Jul 07, 2014 02:24 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Lisa,

My neighbor had one when I was growing up and I thought it was neat how it blended into its surroundings but it was small like 2-4 inches. I do like to take pictures of the lizards in my yard and surroundings but they're good and eat the bugs.

Jul 07, 2014 02:25 PM

Lisa Friedman

Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT

35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

I wouldn't mind seeing the big guy. Think it would be kind of cool actually.

Jul 07, 2014 02:26 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

I guess it would be a great photography event to blog especially since it moves slow and isn't harmful to people. Always be ready with your camera.

Jul 07, 2014 02:56 PM

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR

"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Kristin, I just mentioned having a Pacific NW Giant Salamander that came to roost by my back door. He was BIG, at 9"!!! So, he looked like this one without the steroids. They are usually shy and nocturnal, so I felt pretty lucky to have had the chance to not only see him, but get photos. I don't know that I could find it now.

They really are very passive! Not pretty, but PASSIVE. I sure hope that the police didn't feel the need to do anything but OBSERVE.

Jul 07, 2014 03:23 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Gayle,

He is pretty amazing to grow that big and go in and out of the river.

Jul 07, 2014 03:58 PM

Than Maynard

Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK

Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

Very neat. I wonder if it is as slow as it looks or is it one of those that is far faster than expected?

Jul 08, 2014 12:16 AM

Marney Kirk

Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD

Towson, Maryland Real Estate

Wow, that is one huge salamander! Not harmful to humans, but what about our little pets? Yikes! Glad it was in Japan!

Jul 08, 2014 12:27 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Than,

I think I read where is moves slow but of course for a guy that big, slow might be faster than we think. I am guessing about the speed of a giant tortoise.

Jul 08, 2014 01:39 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Marney,

The Smithsonian site said it ate fish, insects and anything on it's path but I thought the same thing like a little dog or cat. Certainly wouldn't want to get to close anyway as he might mistake toes for food. Yikes is right!

Jul 08, 2014 01:41 AM

Tony & Darcy Cannon

Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT

The C Team

Kristin, Wow, I had never seen a Giant Salamander! I had no idea that they would be that big!

Jul 08, 2014 01:56 AM

Joanna Cohlan

Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY

Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hi Kristin, oh my goodness-this looks like a prehistoric creature. I wonder if the radiation from Fukuyama or any of the damage to DNA from Hiroshima or Nagasaki created such an incredible looking salamander??

Jul 08, 2014 04:20 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Tony & Darcy,

It would be like being in one of those old B & W movies where the giant salamander was chasing the people and eating them.

Jul 08, 2014 06:07 AM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Joanna,

Well according to Japanese Mythology, they have been around for hundreds of years and old rumors of missing horses or people were blamed on these creatures.

Jul 08, 2014 06:09 AM

Elva Branson-Lee

Solid Source Realty GA - Atlanta, GA

CDPE - Atlanta Real Estate & Short Sale Agent

I sure hope that the eastern U. S. version us a LOT smaller. I'd hate to run into that guy roosting anywhere near my home.

Jul 10, 2014 10:34 PM

Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR

Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA

(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Elva,

I am thinking it is probably smaller but the Smithsonian website didn't mention the size. I have never seen one at the zoo before. I would hate to run into this guy on the sidewalk or near the shoreline. EEEEK.....

Jul 12, 2014 10:02 AM