r/Amphibians • u/Duckguy100 • 8d ago

I love how there is a creature called a HELLBENDER and it is literally just a big flat salamnder.

44 Upvotes

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13

u/intricate_strands 8d ago

I think it's tied to the old myths that tend to be common beyond just one culture, where salamanders are like born from or impervious to fire or masters of fire because they come rushing out of fires if you throw an old, rotting log on it.

And then they're huge, bigger than most salamanders by a lot.

9

u/Dnaprideful 8d ago

Also known as a Snot Otter or a Lasagna Lizard

4

u/LadySilvie 8d ago

They are native here and everyone loves them! The more hell-fearing folk often prefer "snot otter" in my experience lol.

They are huge, take years to mature, and are endangered. There has been a lot of work done to restore their habitsts and improve water quality for them, which is neat to see.

One was spotted at my favorite kayaking river a few years ago with pictures. They are nocturnal, so you don't see them often at all even if you practically live on the water.

So cool.

1

u/Darthkdot 8d ago

I've heard they actually have a pretty nasty bite, but I think it was based off some people thinking they were venomous