Hellbender

The hellbender is a big, wrinkly salamander that lives in rivers and streams across the eastern and central United States. It breathes through its skin, using special folds along its sides to absorb oxygen from the water. This ancient amphibian has been around for millions of years, but its numbers are shrinking fast due to habitat loss.

• North America's largest salamander, growing much bigger than its local relatives.
• Breathes underwater through skin folds instead of gills like most amphibians.
• Populations have declined by nearly 80% in parts of its range.