These slimy salamanders are so close to getting the protection they desperately need.
John,
Hellbenders, affectionately nicknamed "mountain alligators" or "snot otters," have lived in eastern U.S. rivers for millions of years. The largest of all North American amphibians, these slippery salamanders can grow up to 2 feet long and weigh as much as 4 pounds.
After 15 years of delay, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just proposed Endangered Species Act protection for all eastern hellbenders. That’s a critical step toward saving them: Hellbenders rely on clean, cold water to survive — and habitat loss and pollution have devastated their freshwater homes. The remaining populations now face extinction.
Hellbenders are a sentinel species. Their health reflects the water quality of the rivers they live in. Safeguarding these fascinating critters will help keep water clean for thousands of other species too — including people.
