07/02/2026
If you came across this salamander while wading in a stream, would you jump for joy? Or jump out of your skin?
Some people adore the eastern hellbender's wide, wet smile. Others feel it has a face only a mother could love. Pennsylvania's state amphibian is nocturnal, shy and elusive -- so you're not likely to stumble across one -- but nonetheless they are important to our ecosystem!
💚 Eastern hellbenders are indicator species. Their presence in a river or stream indicates clean, well-oxygenated water.
💚Hellbenders help maintain a balanced aquatic food web.They feed on crayfish as well as several minnow species and hellgrammites. In turn, they're food for large fish, otters, minks, snakes, turtles and more.
Sadly, the hellbender faces many threats including habitat loss and degradation from dams, poor agricultural practices, heavy logging and acid mine drainage effects.
WPC's staff works to protect these amazing creatures! We:
🦎 conduct hellbender survey and aquatic habitat surveys
⛰️ protect and restore land
💧 restore headwater streams
🌳 plant riparian (streamside) trees that cool water and help prevent sedimentation..and more.
You can help protect the eastern hellbender.
✔️ Leave streambed rocks undisturbed.
✔️Plant riparian trees to provide shade and help reduce pollutants and sedimentation.
✔️If you catch a hellbender while fishing, gently remove the hook or cut the line near the hook and release it back into the river. Using barbless hooks is best.
✔️Properly dispose of household toxic waste so it doesn't wash into waterways.
