The eastern hellbender may not look very pretty, but the state amphibian of Pennsylvania does a beautiful thing: it signifies a healthy waterway.
The slimy, two-foot-long salamander that lives under rocks in rivers and streams has many nicknames, including snot otter and lasagna lizard. 

StateImpact Pennsylvania’s Rachel McDevitt reports the hellbender’s population has been dropping and it could soon have endangered status.

The eastern hellbender may not look very pretty, but the state amphibian of Pennsylvania does a beautiful thing: it signifies a healthy waterway. The slimy, two-foot-long salamander that lives under rocks in rivers and streams has many nicknames, including snot otter and lasagna lizard. StateImpact Pennsylvania&rsquo;s Rachel McDevitt reports the hellbender&rsquo;s population has been dropping and it could soon have endangered status.

WITF News Stories are produced by our journalists. Find and listen to their reporting -- on your time.

WITF News Stories are produced by our journalists. Find and listen to their reporting -- on your time.

WITF News Stories

WITF News Stories are produced by our journalists. Find and listen to their reporting — on your time.

WITF News Stories are produced by our journalists. Find and listen to their reporting — on your time.

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