description Hellbender Overview
North America's largest salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis), reaching up to 74 cm and inhabiting clear, fast-flowing streams of the eastern U.S., where it is near threatened.
insights Why this score
Hellbender ranks #23 of 216 in the Amphibian ranking, behind Dyeing Poison Dart Frog, ahead of Vietnamese Mossy Frog.
Largest North American salamander, stream-health indicator, memorable name, strong conservation profile.
help Hellbender FAQ
Why is the hellbender called North America's largest salamander?
Adult hellbenders can approach about 74 centimeters in length, making Cryptobranchus alleganiensis larger than any other North American salamander. Its closest giant-salamander relatives live in China and Japan.
Do hellbenders have gills, and how do they breathe underwater?
Adults generally lack external gills and absorb much of their oxygen through loose, folded skin. That adaptation works best in cool, clear and fast-flowing streams with high dissolved oxygen.
Are hellbenders dangerous or venomous?
Hellbenders are not venomous and normally avoid people by sheltering beneath large rocks. They eat aquatic prey such as crayfish and do not pose the kind of threat implied by folk names like devil dog.
What is the difference between an eastern hellbender and an Ozark hellbender?
They are recognized as subspecies of Cryptobranchus alleganiensis. The Ozark hellbender has a much smaller range in rivers of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas and is federally listed as endangered in the United States.
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