DuckstersDucksters
History Biography Geography Science Games

Hellbender

Hellbender salamander
Author: Pearson Scott Foresman
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Amphibia
  • Order: Caudata
  • Family: Cryptobranchidae
  • Genus: Cryptobranchus
  • Species: C. alleganiensis

Back to Animals

What is a hellbender?

A hellbender is a type of salamander. It is called an aquatic salamander because it lives primarily in the water.

What do they look like?

Hellbenders are the largest salamanders in North America and the third largest in the world. They can grow to up to 30 inches in length. They range in color from reddish-brown to brown with a light colored underbelly. They can sometimes appear gray or even black. They have wrinkly skin that runs down the sides of their bodies.

Hellbenders have big wide heads and slimy skin. Their head and body is flat and they have a big tail that helps them to swim through the water. They have short legs with four toes in the front and five toes in the back, which is typical for salamanders.


Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
Source: USFWS
What do hellbenders eat?

The main diet of hellbenders is small fish and crayfish. They will also eat worms, insects, and snails.

Where do they live?

Hellbenders can be found in the eastern part of the United States. They like a very specific type of habitat that includes streams and rivers with rapid flowing water. They also like to live under and around rocks during the heat of the day.

Baby Hellbenders

Mother hellbenders lay between 150 and 200 eggs. After they lay their eggs the father will guard the eggs until they hatch. When they hatch, baby hellbenders are about 1 inch long and are similar to tadpoles. They have external gills and no functioning limbs. At about 18 months old they will lose their external gills.

Are they endangered?

Hellbenders are not yet on the endangered list, but are classified as Near Threatened. This is because their population does seem to be in decline. This is likely due to habitat loss and the fact that they only like to live in a very specific type of habitat. Dams can slow the flow of a river or stream and ruin their habitat. Water pollution can kill hellbenders and destroy their habitat as well.


The Hellbender is the largest aquatic
salamander in the United States.
Source: USFWS
Fun Facts about the Hellbender

For more about reptiles and amphibians:

Reptiles
Alligators and Crocodiles
Eastern Diamondback Rattler
Green Anaconda
Green Iguana
King Cobra
Komodo Dragon
Sea Turtle

Amphibians
American Bullfrog
Colorado River Toad
Gold Poison Dart Frog
Hellbender
Red Salamander

Back to Animals



Ducksters Footer Gif with Ducks


About Ducksters Privacy Policy 

 

This site is a product of TSI (Technological Solutions, Inc.), Copyright 2024, All Rights Reserved. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use.