Ranger was shocked to see the giant salamander while picking winkles . The ancient amphibian measured 83cm in length and weighed 5.5kg . The animal is critically endangered on the Red List of threatened species . Known as a 'living fossil ' , it has barely changed since the Jurassic period . A team from the University of California at Berkeley discovered that the salamander's skin contains tiny crystals called melanosomes which are responsible for its colour.
Ranger was shocked to see the giant salamander while picking winkles . The ancient amphibian measured 83cm in length and weighed 5.5kg . The animal is critically endangered on the Red List of threatened species . Known as a 'living fossil ' , it has barely changed since the Jurassic period . In China it is known as 'wa wa yu ' - or 'baby fish ' - because its distress call sounds like the cry of a baby .