DAYTON DAILY NEWS (Ohio) 21 March 06 Mysterious hellbenders and mudpuppies becoming more scarce (Jim Robey)
Some animals trying to make a living in the great outdoors are rather mysterious.
Two are hellbenders and mudpuppies. Most people have heard about these animals, yet few have seen one.
Those who have agree they are not the best-looking critters ever gazed upon. Moreover, they aren't sure whether it's safe to pick one up.
Hellbenders and mudpuppies are salamanders and are classed with a larger group of animals known as amphibians, which includes frogs.
Everyone has seen frogs because they spend most of their time out of water. A number of other salamanders also are spotted out of water.
Yet hellbenders and mudpuppies live a secret life in water, and what a boring existence it must be. They burrow under a rock or weeds and quietly pass the day.
At night they venture from their hiding places and look for something to eat. A crayfish will do nicely.
The place where these salamanders live and their nocturnal habits are two reasons people rarely see them. Another reason is they are becoming scarce.
A scarcity of hellbenders has been well documented by Ralph Pfingsten, research associate with the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
The scientist has collected 15,000 amphibians and reptiles in Ohio and he conducted a three-year study on hellbenders. It resulted in the salamander being classed as an endangered species.
Pfingsten reviewed details of his research earlier this month at the annual Wildlife Diversity Conference in Columbus. The event, sponsored by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, attracted more than 800 people.
"The hellbender is so ugly it's beautiful," Pfingsten said.
True, a hellbender is not known for its beauty. The animal has tiny, beady eyes, gills that get absorbed, wrinkled skin, flattened head, short legs and a rudder-shaped tail.
One thing going for the Hellbender is size. Adults are from 12 to 25 inches long, making it the largest salamander in this region. Mudpuppies are similar in appearance, but have a flattened tail and hang out in weedy ponds, lakes and some streams.
Pfingsten said in searching for hellbenders he visited many streams in Ohio and has found the best ones for his study were those with flowing water over a rocky bottom.
One example in the southwest sector of the state is Ohio Brush Creek where eight hellbenders were found by turning over flat rocks under the water.
Among the best streams for Pfingsten's research is the Mahoning River in northeast Ohio.
Overall, though, Pfingsten's message for the people of Ohio is the state's largest salamander is growing scarce and it's worthy of protection, ugly as it may appear.
Mysterious hellbenders and mudpuppies becoming more scarce