The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis) Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis is the largest North American salamander, ranging in length from 30.5 to 74 cm (Niering 1985). Eastern Hellbenders are members of the order of tailed amphibians, Caudata and the family, Cryptobranchidae. Along with C. a. bishopi, the Ozark Hellbender, it is one of the two subspecies of hellbenders, also known as the Allegheny alligator or devil-dog. C. a. alleganiensis is perennially aquatic, preferring clear fast-moving rivers or large streams …
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…and insects. They have also been observed to eat small fish and animal refuse (Hillis and Bellis 1971). Bibliography Bishop, S.C. 1943. Handbook of Salamanders. pp. 59-63. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca, NY. Hillis, R.E. and E.D. Bellis. 1971. Some aspects of the ecology of the hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis, in a Pennsylvania stream. Journal of Herpetology, 5:121-126. Niering, W.A. 1985. National Audubon Society Nature Guides: Wetlands. pp. 384-385. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York, NY.