Asiatic Salamanders: Hynobiidae

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) lists five species of Asiatic salamanders as Critically Endangered, ten as Endangered, twelve as Vulnerable, and two as Low Risk/Near Threatened. Critically Endangered means facing extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Endangered means facing very high risk of extinction in the wild. Vulnerable means facing high risk of extinction in the wild. Low Risk/Near Threatened means at risk of becoming threatened with extinction in the future.

The primary threats to the survival of Asiatic salamanders are their small geographic ranges and small numbers. Many Asiatic salamanders live in only a small area on one island or mountain. These areas in Japan and China are getting smaller and are being separated from one another. Damage to habitat caused by people is another problem for these salamanders.