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It is the largest salamander in North America. A member of the family Cryptobranchidae, the hellbender is the only extant member of the genus Cryptobranchus. Other closely related salamanders in the same family are in the genus Andrias, which contains the Japanese and Chinese giant salamanders.
The hellbender—sometimes called a “snot otter”—is a large, fully-aquatic amphibian with a flat head, wrinkled body, and paddle-shaped tail. Its body is usually dark gray or brown with irregular dark spots along the back.
With their flattened head and body, four short, stout legs, long rudder-like tail and very small beady eyes, they are well adapted to their swift, flowing stream habitats. Hellbenders retain a few juvenile traits as adults, such as an absence of eyelids and open gill slits.
Sep 2, 2024 · Found lurking in Ohio's rivers and streams, this salamander can grow to nearly two feet long. But despite its name and size, this endangered species is harmless. Yes, hellbenders are real. And now the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has immortalized them on a T-shirt. Here's everything you need to know.
Aug 7, 2013 · They are also called “mud cats,” “devil dogs” and “snot otters” — named for the mucus they secrete through their skin when threatened. Fossil records date the existence of hellbender ...
Apr 4, 2019 · The eastern hellbender is a large, aquatic salamander that occurs in cool, permanent streams across 15 states. Cool and clear water is important because hellbenders breathe entirely through their skin, which contains numerous folds to increase oxygen absorption.
1 day ago · Hellbenders used to have a much larger range, occurring in most of southeast Indiana’s tributaries to the Ohio River and in the Wabash River. Sadly, its population has dropped drastically due to modification of stream habitats including the accumulation of sediment, agricultural and industrial pollution, warming waters and the channelization ...
May 18, 2018 · Hellbender facts & pictures for kids & adults. Conservation, diet, where found, videos & more. The hellbender is a salamander found in fast-flowing rivers in the eastern United States. Reaching up to 29 inches in length, the hellbender is the largest amphibian in North America, and the fourth-largest in the world.
Hellbenders are large, fully aquatic salamanders, meaning they spend all of their lives in water. Growing to lengths of more than 2 feet, they are the continent’s largest salamander. They are brown and blotchy, broad and flat, with four stumpy legs, tiny eyes and a long tail.
The Hellbender is the largest amphibian in North America. It reaches impressive lengths of up to 29 in. long. This unique species is also known as the Hellbender salamander. Sadly, their populations are currently declining due to human activity. Read on to learn about the Hellbender.
