Help the Hellbender

Help the Hellbender Visit our official website helpthehellbender.org This page is open to the public.

We encourage posts related to hellbender conservation, ecology, interesting facts, upcoming events, and photos.

05/28/2026

Did you know that hellbenders don't have eyelids?
While most terrestrial amphibians can have three sets of eyelids, fully aquatic salamanders like hellbenders don't have any!

05/21/2026

This 1 and 1/2-year-old hellbender is enjoying a tasty crayfish!
Young hellbenders will eat a variety of small macroinvertebrates including crayfish!

05/15/2026

Farmers Helping Hellbenders is a Regional Conservation Partnership Program that supports local landowners to improve farmland through agricultural conservation practices that also benefit local ecosystems.

One of the main focuses is sedimentation from runoff. Planting field borders, riparian buffer zones and cover crops help keep soil and nutrients on the fields and out of the streams.
Once all the contracted practices are implemented, they will keep 2,500 tons of sediment per year out of the rivers in Southern Indiana!!

Farmers Helping Hellbenders is a Regional Conservation Partnership Program that supports local landowners to improve far...
05/15/2026

Farmers Helping Hellbenders is a Regional Conservation Partnership Program that supports local landowners to improve farmland through agricultural conservation practices that also benefit local ecosystems.
One of the main focuses is sedimentation from runoff.
Planting filed borders, riparian buffer zones and cover crops help keep soil ant its nutrients on the fields and out of the stream
Once all the contracted practices are implemented, they will keep 2,500 TONS of sediment per year out of the river in southern Indiana!
You can read more at the link below.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/indiana/news/restoring-roots-to-save-the-salamanders

05/07/2026

Hellbenders rarely share shelter rocks with other hellbenders in the wild.
In captivity many hellbenders will use the same shelter even though there are empty shelters.

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day! 🌎
Take a moment to marvel at our amazing planet and the unique animals we share it with!

04/16/2026

Hellbenders are great ambush predators!
Their ability to breathe through their skin and excellent camouflage allows them to blend in and remain motionless to capture unsuspecting prey items!

04/11/2026

Spring is a great time to check out your local parks, community groups or extension offices to learn more about your local area!
Some activities are guided hikes, wildlife demonstrations such as bird banding and river sampling, trash pickups and w**d wrangling!
These are great opportunities to get outside and learn about the unique programs in your backyard!

04/02/2026

1/4 speed video of a hellbender grabbing a piece of smelt.
They open their mouths wide and suck in what's in front of them! The excess water goes out openings in their neck, called gill slits, where their gills used to be, leaving just the food item.
It happens pretty quick!

03/28/2026

Happy World Salamander Day!
There are over 740 species of salamanders, with the Appalachian region being a global hotspot for species diversity!
3 out of every 5 species of salamanders are threatened or at risk of extinction.
Some species are primarily terrestrial while others, like the hellbenders, are fully aquatic.
Most salamanders can regrow missing limbs or tails!

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