Hope For Hellbenders After A Great Fall

The world is full of the weird and wonderful. The hellbender is a strange-looking salamander-type aquatic creature. Over the past 54 years, its population has declined steadily. Conservationists in North Carolina have set their minds to saving these peculiar creatures.

The Underwater Giants

This large aquatic salamander lives in cool, clean waters, hiding under rocks and nooks. Hellbenders are also called ‘snot otters’ and ‘devil dogs’. Poor things! These salamanders can camouflage perfectly even at 2 and a half feet long. They breathe through their greenish-grey skin. Pretty cool!

Decline Of The Devil Dogs

Since 1970 the population of the Hellbender began to decrease rapidly. Sand and gravel mining and dam construction caused the water quality to decline. Sediments entering the water lowered the efficiency of the water flow and its cleanliness. Hellbenders were not a fan of this! Since then, their population has continued to steadily decline.

Saving The Snot Otters

Yes, the snot otter/ devil dog/ hellbender may not be the most attractive animal but they are still worth saving. Conservationists in North Carolina have set out to protect these not-so-small creatures. Projects have been started to remove dams around the Watauga River. By removing these dams there is hope for the waters to clear up and become a better living space for the Hellbenders.

Secrets Of The Salamander

This stumpy four-legged salamander can fold their skin creating a ruffled look. This isn’t just for dress-up but assists in respiration as well. Hellbenders are one of the only amphibians that lose their gills as they mature. They breathe entirely through their skin.

Life Under The Ripples

Hellbenders can be found in multiple rivers and streams across eastern and central US. As water quality continued to down spiral so did the hellbender population. Officials are now taking hellbenders under consideration for the Endangered Species Act protection. I think they should have been put under the Protection Act a while ago. What do you think? Reply in the comments.

A Helping Hand From Conservationists

Many organizations have banded together to try and save these peculiar creatures. These include the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; the U.S Forest Service; and the Missouri Department of Conservation. Plans have been put in place to help save their habitat and their species. Recovery is underway! Due to conservational efforts, their population has slightly risen. However, they still have a long way to go.

Contributions of North Carolina

In 2018, 2 of the biggest conservation companies in North Carolina set out to protect the habitat of the Hellbender. These companies were the Defenders of Wildlife and the USDA’s  Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRSC). These companies joined up with locals and landowners to help clear up the water, providing a better and safer habitat for the hellbenders. This has been a great success!

Lend A Helping Hand

If you live in areas of hellbender habitats, there are things you can do. Don’t disturb the habitats of the hellbenders. When out adventuring, don’t lift or remove large rocks. For all animals, not just hellbenders, unnatural disturbances can cause great stress and even damage. Now, this one should be obvious, do not litter. I know you hear it time and time again but how can we expect to help animals if we just keep ruining their homes?

I Bet You Didn’t Know

Unlike most animals, the male is the one who fertilizes the eggs, and hellbenders can live up to 25 years. These salamanders prefer to walk along the river, or stream, floors, even though they can swim. Having baggy skin helps them absorb maximum oxygen whilst being on the water floors for long periods. Think you want to be a hellbender? Maybe think again as their skin is covered in mucus to help with breathing and keeping their skin wet. What are your thoughts on these bizarre-looking creatures? Reply in the comments.