Japan may be known as the land of cute things, but beneath the surface lies the horrifying truth... Japan is home to some of the most terrifying animals on the planet. That's why today I tell you about the 5 most terrifying animals in Japan.
Table of Content
Goblin Sharks (Goblin Shark)
Say hello to our mitsukurizame, known in Japanese as mitsukurizame or tenguzame. The word tengu refers to a mythical creature with a long nose. These sharks can also be found outside of Japan. However, the highest capture rates of them are found in Japan, even though most of these encounters are accidental. They live in the depths of the ocean at a depth of 1,200 meters and can grow to approximately 6.2 meters long and weigh up to 210 kg.
Of course, he is no bigger than the great white shark (11-meters), but the intimidation factor here is something else. Just look at the jagged teeth that remind us of barbed wire and the nose that reminds us of a Serra and also the eyes like a mad being. These guys are literally “living fossils”, the last members of an ancient lineage dating back 125 million years that still retain the same “primitive” characteristics
(photo at the beginning of the article)
Spider Crabs (Santola)
Known as takaahashi gani in Japanese, literally "Spider Crab", these creatures are the largest arthropods on Earth. With legs one meter long, the result is a leg span of over 3.8 meters. The reason why these guys are only number five is because they are surprisingly DOCILE, despite their monstrous appearance.
They prefer to cluster on the ocean floor, covering themselves with sponges and other marine animals, consuming basically everything they can find. Yet I personally wouldn't want to come face-to-face with such a being. These guys are found on the south coast of Honshu, the main Japanese island, so I recommend staying out of the ocean there. If you still want the chance to meet our “little friend” in person, you can do so by going to the Osaka Aquarium.
Coconuts Crabs (Coconut Crab)
Coconut crabs (known in Japanese as yashigani.) may have a silly name, but not when you know the meaning behind it. They are named this way because their claws are strong enough to crack open a coconut. These creatures are not only the largest living arthropods, but also the largest invertebrates. With a leg span of up to 0.9 meters and weighing up to 4 kg, it's no wonder they have no natural predators, aside from humans and other coconut crabs.
giant salamanders
Salamanders are generally not that bad, just a few that are slippery and climb walls and eat pests. The problem arises, however, when the Salamander in question is 1.9 meters long. The Giant Salamanders of 日本 and 中国 are the largest amphibians in the world. They typically spend time in the northern rivers of Kyushu and western Honshu (another reason not to go in the water), blending in with the rocks and mud so they can catch and eat basically anything that comes by, such as: insects, fish, rats, crabs. They also cover their skin with mucus, which acts as a thin shield against scratches and parasites. Their first act of self-defense occurs by producing a milky sticky secretion. Making it not only one of the most creepy things we can see, but one of the grossest too.