Hellbender
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
A large, fully aquatic salamander of cool, clear, fast-flowing streams, usually sheltering beneath broad flat rocks by day. It is mostly nocturnal, relying on camouflage and sudden snaps of its jaws to catch crayfish, small fish, worms, and aquatic insects. Its loose wrinkled skin folds increase surface area for absorbing oxygen directly from the water. Healthy hellbender populations are strong indicators of clean, well-oxygenated stream habitat.
- Type
- Water
- Conservation status
- VU
Growth chain
- ?
- Hellbender