Eastern hellbender

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

Amphibia · Caudata · Cryptobranchidae

Fig. 1. Eastern hellbender

Fig. 2. Range

Length or height	About 30-74 cm long
Weight	About 1.5-2.5 kg
Food	Crayfish, small fish
Lifespan	About 30 years or more (est.)
Society	Solitary; males guard eggs
Habitat	freshwater
Range	North America
Wild or tame	Wild

North America's largest salamander, found in cold, clean Appalachian and Ozark streams (not Florida). Its baggy, wrinkled skin absorbs oxygen from flowing water. Zoos in St. Louis and elsewhere raise hellbenders for release.

Observe: Look at the loose skin folds along the sides.

Modern data

Status today

VUVulnerable Endangered (Missouri population, 2021); Ozark hellbender endangered (2011) status to verify

Conservation	Vulnerable; silt and warm water kill it, so its presence means a healthy stream.
Keeper's note	Daily checks of appetite, movement and behavior; enrichment that changes from day to day.
Kingdom · phylum	Animalia · Chordata
Genus	Cryptobranchus

Check the record: IUCN Red List · GBIF

See it elsewhere in the museum

FSPWXQ

Same order: Caudata

Eastern hellbender

Status today

See it elsewhere in the museum

Same order: Caudata

Frosted flatwoods salamander

Two-toed amphiuma

Common mudpuppy

Eastern newt