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 scariest animals on the planet. And that’s why today I’m telling you about the 5 most horrifying animals in Japan.
Table of Contents
Goblin Sharks
Say hello to our goblin shark, 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 catch rate of them is 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 about 6.2 meters and weigh up to 210 kg.
Of course, it is not bigger than the great white shark (11 meters), but the intimidation factor here is different. Just look at the irregular teeth that remind us of barbed wire and the nose that resembles a saw, as well as the eyes like those of a mad being. These guys are literally “living fossils,” the last members of an ancient lineage dating back 125 million years that still retains the same “primitive” characteristics.
(photo at the beginning of the article)
Spider Crabs
Known as takaahashi gani in Japanese, literally “Spider Crab,” these beings are the largest arthropods on Earth. With legs measuring one meter in length, the result is a leg span of over 3.8 meters. The reason these guys are only at number five is because they are, surprisingly, GENTLE, despite their monstrous appearance.
They prefer to group at the bottom of the ocean, covering themselves with sponges and other marine animals, basically consuming everything they can find. Still, I personally wouldn’t want to be face-to-face with one of these creatures. These guys are found off the southern coast of Honshu, Japan’s main island, so I recommend staying out of the ocean there. If you still want a chance to meet our “little friend” in person, you can do so by visiting the Osaka Aquarium.
Coconut Crabs
Coconut crabs (known in Japanese as yashigani.) may have a silly name, but not when you know the meaning behind it. They are named so because their claws are strong enough to open a coconut. These things 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, other than 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 Japan and China are the largest amphibians in the world. They usually spend their time in the rivers of northern Kyushu and western Honshu (another reason not to go into the water), blending in with the rocks and mud so they can catch and eat basically everything 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 them not only one of the most chilling things we can see but also one of the most disgusting.
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