A hellbender is a type of salamander. Called aquatic salamanders because they live mainly in water.
Highlights of Hellbenders:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Caudata |
| Family | Cryptobranchidae |
| Genus | Cryptobranchus |
| Species | C. alleganiensis |
What do Hellbenders look like?
Hellbenders are the largest salamander species in North America and the third largest in the world. They can be up to 30 inches long. They vary in color from reddish brown to brown with a light belly. They can sometimes appear gray or even black. They have wrinkled skin running along the sides of their bodies.
Hellbender has a large, broad head and slimy skin. Their heads and bodies are flat, and they have a large tail that helps them swim in the water. They have short legs with 4 toes on the front and 5 on the back, typical of salamanders.
What do Hellbenders eat?
The main diet of the masters of hell is small fish and crayfish. They will also eat worms, insects and snails.
Where do Hellbenders live?
Hellbenders can be found in the eastern part of the United States. They prefer a very specific type of habitat including fast-flowing streams and rivers. They also like to live under and around rocks during hot weather during the day.
Baby Hellbenders
Mother hellbenders lay between 150 and 200 eggs. After laying eggs, the father will guard the eggs until the eggs hatch. When newly hatched, hell’s owner babies are about 1 inch long and look like tadpoles. They have external gills and no active limbs. At about 18 months, they will lose their gills.
Are Hellbenders endangered?
Hellbenders are not yet on the endangered species list, but are classified as near-threatened. This is because their population seems to be decreasing. This may be due to habitat loss and the fact that they only prefer to live in a very specific type of habitat. Dams can slow the flow of rivers or streams and destroy their habitat. Water pollution can kill hell masters and destroy their habitat.
Interesting Facts about the Hellbender
There are only two salamander species larger than the lord of hell, the Chinese and Japanese giant salamanders.
Scientists rarely find two Hellbenders together, leading scientists to believe that Hellbenders are a very solitary species.
Adult Hellbenders are said to have few predators.
Because benders prefer clean water, the presence of benders in a stream or river can be a sign of good water.
They are non-toxic and rarely pose a danger to humans.
They live up to 30 years in the wild and up to 50 years in captivity.