Rare giant salamander found in eastern Kentucky stream: What experts say it means for the ecosystem

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Biologists surveying an eastern Kentucky stream captured a glimpse of a rarely seen giant salamander whose numbers are declining.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KYFWR) shared the photo of an adult eastern hellbender on Wednesday, found and photographed by biologist Monte McGregor in a stream in the eastern part of the state.

“Is it a rock? A baked potato? Nope — it’s an eastern hellbender!” officials wrote.

Experts said that since they require clean water and a stable habitat, their presence could be a sign of a healthy stream, but their decline could be an early warning for environmental problems. Because of this, officials likened the hellbender to a “canary in a coal mine” for stream health.

The rare species reportedly spends most of its life hidden at the bottoms of cool, fast-flowing streams under large flat rocks, making them hard to find.

To learn more about Kentucky’s wildlife and support the conservation of eastern hellbenders and other animals facing decline, visit the Kentucky Wild website.