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Hellbender Salamander

Hellbender Salamander. Cryptobranchus alleganiensis . Presented by Randy Hein for Outdoor Education Course Fall 2011. Description. Measuring up to 2 feet in length and 5 pounds in weight, it is the largest salamander in North America.

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Hellbender Salamander

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  1. Hellbender Salamander Cryptobranchus alleganiensis Presented by Randy Hein for Outdoor Education Course Fall 2011

  2. Description • Measuring up to 2 feet in length and 5 pounds in weight, it is the largest salamander in North America. • Head and body are flattened with mottled skin that is slimy, loosely connected and wrinkled. • Color varies from brownish yellow, olive brown/gray, to brownish red. • Small, lidless eyes. • Short, stout legs with 4 toes on front limbs and 5 toes on hind limbs.

  3. Color Variation

  4. Common Names: • “Snot Otter” - Devil Dog • Mud Cat - Mountain Alligator • Allegheny Alligator - Walking Catfish • Mud Devil - Old Lasagna Sides • Hellbender (most used)

  5. Two Subspecies • Eastern Hellbender • Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis • Ozark Hellbender • Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi

  6. Range

  7. Habitat • Fast-flowing rivers and large creeks with rocky shoals • Individuals often found submerged near large boulders, logs or rock crevices. • Favorite food: Crayfish

  8. Male Female During the Breeding Season (August to October)it is possible to tell the difference between a male and female Hellbender.

  9. Hellbender Eggs Stay-at- Home Dads: the male Hellbender guards the nest cavity

  10. Conservation • Endangered in Illinois, Indiana, Maryland and Ohio • Rare in Georgia • Of Special Concern in New york, N. Carolina and Virginia • Watch List in Missouri • In Need of Management in Tennessee • Internationally: Near Threatened Status • The various methods established by each state/region can lead to confusion about what is needed to protect this species.

  11. What can you do? • Educate yourself and others about this species • Become involved in processes that affect our environment • Donate time and funding to organizations that share your concerns

  12. SPECIES NATIVE TO INDIANA - PROHIBITED FROM SALE • SPECIES NATIVE TO INDIANA - PROHIBITED FROM SALE • Hellbender Cryptobranchus alleganiensis • Mudpuppy Necturus maculosus • Streamside salamander Ambystoma barbouri • Jefferson’s salamander Ambystoma jeffersonianum • Blue-spotted salamander Ambystoma laterale • Spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum • Marbled salamander Ambystoma opacum • Smallmouth salamander Ambystoma texanum • Eastern tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum • Eastern newt (red-spotted newt) Notophthalmus viridescens • Green salamander Aneides aeneus • Northern dusky salamander Desmognathus fuscus • Two-lined salamander Eurycea cirrigera • Longtailed salamander Eurycea longicauda • Cave salamander Eurycea lucifuga • Four-toed salamander Hemidactylium scutatum • Redbacked salamander Plethodon cinereus • Zigzag salamander Plethodon dorsalis • Slimy salamander Plethodon glutinosus • Ravine salamander Plethodon richmondi • Red salamander Pseudotriton ruber Do not buy, sell, or trade our native wildlife!!!

  13. Factors Threatening the Hellbender Siltation A “reclaimed” stream in mining area General Pollution: Endocrine Disruptors “treated” wastewater Industrial Processes Thermal Pollution

  14. Interesting Facts: • 90% of oxygen obtained through their highly folded skin • Indicator of very healthy streams (“canary in a coal mine”) • Not Venomous; skin secretions do contain some toxins • Captive breeding program at St. Louis Zoo

  15. Neat Video Clips • http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dangerous-encounters/3906/Videos/06265_00 • Dangerous Encounters | Clash of the Giant Salamanders | Video | | National Geographic Channel

  16. Resources • http://people.wcsu.edu/pinout/herpetology/calleganiensis/ • http://www.inhs.illinois.edu/animals_plants/herps/species/cr_allegan.html • http://amphibiaweb.org/cgi-bin/amphib_query?where-scientific_name=Cryptobranchus+alleganiensis

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