New River Conservancy Report
A mature eastern hellbender has been spotted in the New River, as reported by the New River Conservancy last month.
The hellbender, the largest salamander in North America, can grow up to two and a half feet long and has been around for 65 million years.
Because of the Hellbenders’ preference for clean streams and rivers, their presence serves as an excellent indicator of good water quality.
Hellbenders are sensitive to silt, sedimentation, and water pollution, making them biological indicators of water quality.
The species is listed as endangered.
Author's summary: Hellbender spotted in New River.