Also known as “mud devil”, “snot otter”, and “Allegheny alligator”, the Eastern Hellbender is an iconic species of giant salamander found in streams throughout Appalachia. Late August kicks off their mating season, which extends into October. Currently, male Hellbenders are creating rock “nests” in which females will lay their eggs. The males will then fertilize and guard the nest until they hatch, in about two months. These slippery friends can grow up to two feet long, and can live up to 30 ye

Hellbender salamanders released into the wild by conservationists in southern Indiana. INSIDE THE INDIANAPOLIS ZOO streaming now on WTHR | WTHR-TV