HELLBENDER CITIZEN SURVEY
HABITAT
Hellbenders are disappearing all across their range. Why? Answering that question is tougher than it may seem. In many areas, river impoundments - such as weirs, dams, and other midchannel structures - have been a cause of some local hellbender declines. The addition of dams to a stream causes water to become still and deep, as well as increasing temperatures and decreasing oxygen levels in the water. Since hellbenders require clean, fast-flowing water, stream impoundments can easily wipe out hellbenders in flooded parts of a stream. In addition, impoundments also block the movement of hellbenders, causing any remaining populations to become small and isolated - making them more at risk.
HOW TO HELP
POLLUTION
Erosion caused by excessive runoff is one of the most severe types of stream pollution in Appalachia. Suspended sediment from erosion causes the water to be cloudy and/or tinted brown. Since respiration occurs across hellbenders' skin, high amounts of sediment can deplete oxygen levels and interfere with respiration in both adults and juveniles alike. Sedimentation can also reduce the number of living spaces available under rocks that hellbenders use as habitat. Excess sedimentation has proven to be a key player in the destruction of many habitats for the salamander across its range.
Any creature as large and bizarre-looking as a hellbender is almost automatically predisposed to local legends and myths. Two such myths surrounding the hellbender are that these salamanders are poisonous and/or deplete local fish populations in rivers and streams. This has unfortunately led to humans killing hellbenders on sight in many areas. Although hellbenders may look unsightly, they are completely harmless to humans and are not known to harm fish populations, especially those used as game species by humans. The best course of action if seeing a hellbender is instead to observe it from a safe distance, and simply leave it alone - you've found a great sign that you're looking at a healthy river system!