The Hellbender: A Creature Whose Name Is More Fearsome Than Its Looks

If you are told “Master of Hell” you will surely think of several creatures from different mythologies, or of demonic creatures that science fiction cinema knows how to highlight. But what if we told you that the creature we are going to tell you about was none of that and that its evocative name had absolutely nothing to do with any evil entity and was not, objectively, so frightening than that.

The Hellbender is… a… harmless… salamander

From its scientific name, Cryptobranchus alleganiensisthis salamander comes straight from the United States, from the East of the country to be more precise. Endemic to the Appalachian mountain range, it is the largest salamander in North America and the third largest in the world behind Andrias davidanius (China) and Andrias japonicus (Japan).

The origin of the nickname “Master of the Underworld” is quite vague, but according to the Missouri Department of Conservation :

The name “Master of the Underworld” [ndr, hellbender en anglais] probably comes from the strange appearance of the animal. One theory is that the Hellbender was named by settlers who believed it was a creature from hell, where it was eager to return. According to another theory, the animal's undulating skin reminded observers of “the horrible tortures of the infernal regions”. In reality, it is a harmless aquatic salamander.

In other words, the Master of Hell would be an animal who was the victim of a facial crime. In French we know it under the name Menopome or alligator salamander.

What does this salamander look like?

Although it is harmless, perhaps its physical characteristics made it frightening to the first settlers who set foot in North America?

Would it be gigantic? Would she have big teeth? Would it prey on herds of animals or worse… children?

None of that.

As an adult, the Hellbender measures between 30 and 74 centimeters and weighs nearly 2.5 kg, which, we grant you, is relatively impressive. However, you will never come across it out of the water, or only on very rare occasions, since it spends most of its time in fresh waterways.

In terms of its physical appearance, the Master of Hell has a flattened head, four short legs, a long tail and very small eyes adapted to an aquatic life punctuated by rapid currents. Its color can vary between grayish and olive brown, giving it a certain camouflage at the bottom of the water.

This salamander, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoois not a hunter. Its predation consists of ambushing its prey: crayfish, fish and other small invertebrates such as earthworms if it has the opportunity. So no children on the menu.

An Eastern Hellbender crawling on the bottom of the creek foraging for crayfish. A Hellbender crawling along the bottom of the creek looking for crayfish.

photo credit: Jay Ondreicka – SHUTTERSTOCK A Hellbender crawling along the bottom of the creek looking for crayfish.

The Master? Really ?

As we said earlier, while it is the largest salamander in North America, the Hellbender is only third globally behind its Asian cousins.

Besides, if Cryptobranchus alleganiensis is the Master of Hell, what should we nickname these two specimens which have, in their vernacular name, the adjective “giant” and which is not stolen.

See instead:

  • The Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus) generally measures between 1 and 1.4 meters for a weight on the scale of 35 kg
  • The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidanius) can measure up to 1.80 meters and weigh up to 65 kg

At least twice as large and at least 14 times heavier than their American counterpart, could these salamanders be the “Empresses of Hell”?

And again, it's nothing compared to Gaiasia jennyaea now extinct salamander that lived in the swamps of what is now Namibia 280 million years ago. At 2.5 meters long for a head of 60 centimeters, shaped like a toilet bowl, the real Master of Hell was perhaps her.

Source : Smithsonian Natural Zoo / Missouri Department of Conservation

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