The Eastern hellbender is the largest salamander species in the United States, reaching lengths of up to 30 inches! These fascinating creatures are fully aquatic and can be found under large boulders or rock slabs in clean, cool streams and rivers. Their range stretches from southern New York to northern Alabama, with healthy populations mainly centered around the Appalachian region.

Hellbender populations have faced dramatic declines in the wild due to sedimentation of streams, caused by deforestation, disease, and historic fears that they were venomous (even though they are not!). These challenges have threatened their survival, making them a species in need of conservation.

Our zoo is proud to have been the first zoo in the world to hatch Eastern hellbender eggs in a zoo or aquarium setting back in 2007. Since then, we have successfully raised thousands of hellbenders and are actively involved in a rearing and reintroduction program in partnership with the West Virginia Division of Wildlife.

At the zoo, we care for two hellbenders in our main building habitat, while we also have many more hellbenders in our behind-the-scenes facilities, working toward their successful reintroduction into the wild.