Description: 12-29 in. (30-74 cm) This huge aquatic salamander without external gills is almost impossible to mistake for any other species. Hellbenders are usually gray or brown in coloration with yellow brown or black spots and heavily wrinkled skin. The head and tail are flattened are eyes are tiny.
Range and Habitat: Aquatic salamander found in rivers and large streams in the mountains of western North Carolina.  These salamanders are often found under rocks and large debris piles.
Habits: Hellbenders remain in aquatic throughout their lives.  Feed on earthworms, aquatic invertebrates, crayfish, and insects.  Hellbenders can only survive in cool, constantly flowing water that is well oxygenated. Hellbenders can be spotted by slowly turning over large rocks in clear shallow streams.
Breeding: In the late summer female hellbender lay strings of 300-400 eggs under a large flat stone. She guards the eggs until the eggs hatch. Young hellbenders are very light gray with dark spots on body and have external gills.  Usually lose external gills when they become 5 in. long. .
Facts: Although formidable looking, Hellbenders are harmless to humans.
Status: The Hellbender is listed as a species of Special Concern in North Carolina. It has disappeared from a large portion of its range due to silting and pollution of streams.

Range of the Eastern Hellbender in the Carolinas and Virginia