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Hellbender
Populations Declining in Most Ohio Streams
By Jeff Montavon
Monday, January 26, 2009
Hellbenders can
still be found in Scioto Brush Creek, but despite the stream's
excellent water quality, the giant salamander's days may be
numbered.
Hellbender: The name alone conjures terrifying images of a
nightmarish creature capable of inflicting severe damage to
anyone who tangles with it. Its appearance does little to soften
this undeserved reputation. Recognized as North America’s
largest amphibian, the Eastern Hellbender may reach sizes longer
than two feet, although it typically ranges from twelve to
eighteen inches. As if its size isn’t intimidating enough, their
wrinkled skin and strange appearance is sure to threaten anyone
who comes across the giant salamander.
Despite their large size and
gruesome appearance, the Hellbender is docile and harmless to
humans. Although it is illegal to disturb Hellbenders, they can
be handled with bare hands and unless provoked, typically will
not bite. Contrary to common myths, Hellbenders are not
venomous, but their skin produces toxic secretions that will
burn if a handler should rub his eyes after touching the animal.
| Amphibian
and reptile expert Greg Lipps visited Rarden, Ohio to
speak about the endangered Hellbender at the Friends of
Scioto Brush Creek Annual Meeting in January. A
Conservation Biologist from Toledo, Greg has dedicated
years surveying streams in Southern Ohio and other
regions of the United States studying the Hellbender and
its habitat. Wading through streams and flipping over
large rocks, Greg hopes to collect data from specimens
and find sustainable Hellbender populations. |
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Greg Lipps looks for a hellbender under a large rock in
Scioto Brush Creek. For his sake, let's hope none
of these people hold a grudge against him. |
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Worldwide,
this uncommon salamander is only found in 16 states in
the Eastern U.S. and is considered to be threatened or
endangered in most of those states. Although extremely
rare, the Hellbender can still be found in Scioto Brush
Creek and a few other streams in Ohio; however, Greg is
concerned about the Hellbender’s status in Ohio. “In
nearly every Ohio stream, there are only large adults,
and only a few of them,” says Greg. Since Hellbenders
can live longer than 30 years, streams containing only
large adult animals may be a sign that the population is
no longer reproducing.
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Greg
examines a hellbender that was collected during a survey
of Scioto Brush Creek. After taking some blood
samples, he'll release it back to the stream.
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Greg explains that
excellent water quality is essential for the
Hellbenders’ survival. “Hellbenders prefer clean,
swiftly flowing water,” he says. Hellbenders are
completely aquatic and need healthy water so they, just
as other amphibians, may absorb oxygen through their
skin. “Sedimentation from soil erosion is thought to be
one of the major threats to the Hellbender’s habitat,”
says Greg. Chemical pollution in waterways and disease
are two other factors believed to be responsible for a
decline in Hellbender populations.
Conservation measures are
vital in maintaining Hellbender populations for the
future. Hellbenders are not listed as threatened or
endangered by the federal government, but are recognized
as endangered by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Greg
emphasizes that everyone has a role in protecting this
endangered species. He stresses, “Avoid driving ATV’s in
streams, removing gravel from streams, and plowing
fields to the stream’s edge.” Responsible land use will
dramatically reduce soil from entering waterways and
help protect Hellbender habitat. |
Hellbender
sightings may be reported to Greg Lipps by email at
greglipps@aol.com,
or by calling (419) 376-3441. If caught, Hellbenders must be
released. |
