"Han Han," a 40-kilogram salamander, who is living luxuriously and like a celebrity at a farm in southwest China's Sichuan Province, has recently got the world's attention, Chengdu-based Huaxi Metropolis Daily reported.
What could be regarded as one of the biggest Chinese giant salamanders around, Han Han got his global exposure on Aug. 31 when a Chinese netizen posted that there is a "Big Mac" hiding in Yibin City.
Mr. Feng, the owner of the farm, shared that he first spotted Han Han in 2007. He spent over 10,000 yuan to bring the salamander home.
"We looked all over Sichuan and the surrounding provinces. He is one of the bigger ones. Ever since I brought him back to the farm, he has been number one," Feng remarked.
On the average, wild Chinese giant salamanders weigh 5 kilograms by the time they reach the age of 10, Feng said.
Currently, Han Han is 23 years old.
Feng added that it might gain another 10 kilograms in the coming years.
"At his size and as our number one salamander, Han Han is going to die of old age. We aren't going to sell him," Feng noted.
"We have recently received approval from the Ministry of Agriculture to breed giant salamanders. With the next generation, once the salamanders reach about three years old and 1.5kg, they will be sold," he further shared.
Considered as one of the largest amphibians in the world, Chinese giant salamanders are protected by law since 1988 as they are critically endangered.