The hellbender is a species of aquatic giant salamander found only in the eastern and central United States and is the largest salamander in North America. It breathes largely through its skin, absorbing oxygen through capillaries in folds along its sides, an adaptation it has relied on for roughly 65 million years while living in clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers. It is rated vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and eastern hellbender populations are declining across nearly 80 percent of their range because of forest loss along streams, habitat degradation and disease.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or Extinct Scientific NameCryptobranchus alleganiensis 6 Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Amphibia, Taxa Source Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis (Wikidata)
In Biome
River, Biomes Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyKey Behaviors
Key Behaviors natatorial natatorial nocturnal nocturnal motile motile solitary solitary territorial territorial Range territory size 32 to 346 m^2 Average territory size 113 m^2
Primary Diet, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES Appendix III
In Biome: River, Habitat Regions, biome: rivers and streams
rivers and streams
View the Source 2. Hellbender (Wikipedia)
article text (relationship to people), EntityId 338929
Degraded water quality, habitat loss resulting from impoundments, ore and gravel mining, sedimentation, and collection for the pet trade are thought to be the main factors resulting in the amphibian's
Infobox: status2
CITES_A3
Introduction
The species is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species due to the impacts of disease and widespread habitat loss and degradation throughout much of its range. Eastern hellbender populations are dropping quickly across most of their range, nearly 80% are declining or disappearing altogether.
View the Source3. GBIF Species API
4. Cryptobranchus Alleganiensis (Wikidata)
WikidataStatements section, conservation status (P141)
Wikidata Q369467: vulnerable (P141).
- Child Taxon Of: Amphibia, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
View the Source 5. NatureServe Explorer: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "G3"
6. Wikipedia: Hellbender
7. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 29 years (wild)
Life history traits (averages): Adult weight
Adult weight 358.1 g
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.