Ozark Hellbenders are Only Found in Ozark Streams

Consider yourself lucky if you live close to the Ozark Mountains and have never seen a salamander that is two feet longer. The Ozark Hellbender, a creature, is capable of attacking you. Despite their outrageous name, these huge salamanders, which only inhabit the clean streams and rivers of the Ozarks, are essentially harmless.

Due to flesh folds in their skin down their sides, salamanders can breathe underwater. They often hide under boulders to avoid currents that move quickly. Despite the fact that it is unknown what is causing their numbers to keep declining, they are likewise threatened. It is known that they have very specific requirements for water temperature and quality, therefore it is probable that factors like pollution or climate change are directly responsible for their declining populations.

Most people never have the opportunity to observe the salamanders because they are nocturnal and spend their days hiding behind rocks. They typically hunt crayfish or other prey animals when they do emerge at night.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Urodela
Family: Cryptobranchidae
Genus: Cryptobranchus
Species: C. alleganiensis
Subspecies: C. a. bishopi