Creature Feature: Prague Zoo Claims to Have the Longest Salamander on Earth

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Prague Zoo Claims to Have the Longest Salamander on Earth

PRAGUE — Dec 20, 2015, 7:24 AM ET 2 Shares
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Prague Zoo says it likely has the longest Chinese giant salamander now on Earth.

The critically endangered animal is the largest amphibian on the planet.

In a statement Sunday, the zoo says Karlo, a Chinese giant salamander it received 19 months ago from the State Museum of Natural History in Karlsruhe, Germany, is likely the biggest representative of its species. The zoo says, according to the latest measurements done Friday, that Karlo is 1.58 meters (5 feet, 2 and 3/16 inches) long.

Karlo's age is estimated at 37 to 38 years and weight is 35 kilograms (77 pounds).

The largest salamander on record was 1.8 meters (5 feet, 11 inches) long.

The zoo says its worldwide check didn't reveal any longer-living salamander.