The Endangered Salamander Native To Indiana Experts Are Trying Hard To Restore

Fun fact: Indiana is one of a handful of states where a fascinating little critter known as a Hellbender salamander is native. This strange, intriguing little guy is an important part of Indiana's ecosystems, but right now, they face a threat: they are considered endangered in the Hoosier State, thanks to declining water quality, habitat loss, and, unfortunately, humans harming them out of the (incorrect) belief that they're venomous and/or dangerous. Let's take a look at these endangered salamanders in Indiana - and form a new appreciation for the little guys.

Okay, well, maybe they're not so little - in fact, the Hellbender is a giant aquatic salamander and the largest species of salamander in North America.

Of the 20 or so species of salamanders that live in Indiana, the Hellbender is by far the largest (and most at risk).

While most folks will be used to seeing little cuties like this orange guy...

...the size of the Hellbender certainly makes it easily distinguishable from the others.

Seriously: look at that little beast.

These salamanders can grow anywhere from 12 to 29 inches, with some specimens reaching even larger sizes. Males and females grow at about the same rate, though females tend to live longer and therefore they're usually bigger.

The Hellbender lurks quietly (and honestly, quite adorably if you ask me) in multiple states, including ours, plus 18 others that include New York, Kansas, the Carolinas, and others.

Here in Indiana, though, these salamanders are in trouble - they're considered endangered as of 1981, and conservation efforts have been underway since. But there's great news: there are signs that these efforts have not been in vain.

Young Hellbenders have been discovered in streams as recently as 2023, and this is incredibly remarkable because, up until that point, only adults had ever been found 'round here.

The presence of a juvenile indicates that efforts to restore the habitat and reduce human impacts are indeed working - slowly, but surely. Hoosiers are capable of anything, and I think we're more than capable of bringing these fascinating, odd critters back to their previous numbers.

For now, all we can do to help is, well, our best.

Pack out what you pack in, use established restrooms, and never, ever destroy habitat - not for any reason. We humans are the single biggest threat to these amazing animals, and that means we can change it.

Have you ever seen a Hellbender salamander? It has lots of nicknames - what you do call it? Let me know in the comments! Do you know of an endangered species in Indiana you'd like to see me highlight? Send me your suggestions with our handy nomination form. Planning to take a hike and search for these not-so-little beasties? Bump up your hiking game with AllTrails Plus. I have no clue what I did before I had it!