Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Incredible animals, these aquatic salamanders live in fast flowing mountain streams in NC. Note the wrinkles along the side of the body. The extra skin flaps are believed to be used to help them increase their surface area for "breathing".

The above photo and this photo were taken through a plexiglass-bottomed bucket of the Hellbender crawling along the river bottom. Above photo used a flash, while this one is natural lighting.

Hellbender in the plexiglass bucket.

Releasing him (her?) back into the river.

Back home. This Hellbender was approximately 16 inches long.

Thanks to Jeff Beane (in the background) Jeff Pippen has his first Hellbender!