What is a hellbender?
Career: Hellbender
Hellbenders are large, aquatic salamanders native to North America, specifically found in clean, fast-flowing streams and rivers. They are the largest salamander species in North America, known for their flat bodies and wrinkled skin, which helps them absorb oxygen from the water. Hellbenders play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems by controlling insect populations and serving as indicators of water quality. Due to habitat loss and pollution, their populations are declining, making them a species of conservation concern.