Coming Face to Face with the Largest Salamander in the Northeast U.S.

Today's underwater photo is of a Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleghiensis, the eastern hellbender salamander. The eastern hellbender is unique from almost all other salamanders in that it spends its entire life underwater. It is the largest salamander in the northeastern United States, reaching lengths of more than 730 mm (29 inches)! Note the wrinkled flap of skin along the sides used in part to absorb oxygen from the water. It lives in larger streams and rivers in parts of the Ohio and Susquehanna river basins; however, it has declined due to pollution and other environmental issues. It feeds primarily on crayfish but will also eat other prey items occasionally such as fish, insects, and even other salamanders.

This species is nocturnal, meaning it is active mostly at night, particularly during the breeding season. This photo was taken in August by WPC Zoologist Ryan Evans in Little Brokenstraw Creek in Warren County.

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