Wild Hellbender pictures

[waterdawggin]

Not sure if this belongs here....? Or?

Proper permits had, location not for discussion please.

Larvae:



Juvie:



Adult photos:

[Justin]

Oh man I am so jealous. Can you give a few more details like the time of year you found them and the number of larvae/juveniles found compared to adults.

Later,
Justin

[kate]

Really cool. I'm assuming these are Easterns?

[Julia]

Amazing photo's!

[Lamb]

I'm interested to know if juveniles/larvae were found in close proximity to adults. Wow, really great. I'd love to find a helbender in the wild.

[Kaysie]

Very nice. I'm jealous

[Cameron Cheri]

Great pics! Do you have more photos of the larvae?

[Nathan]

That photo of the juvenile just made my day. Thank you so much for sharing!

[Russ Cormack]

Very cool juvy pic. They are so hard to see at that size, they just blend in. We took a short cut this last weekend and came across what is probably the bender habitat I've seen so far in this state. We'll probably go back for some pics as soon as it warms up a little more (wetsuits are for wimps).

[EmeraldExotics]

Awesome Pics! I just love Hellbenders! That's what got me interested in Sals. :) I would love to try and breed some in captivity but I know I'd have to get lots of permission and probably work in teams with a zoo. It would still be awesome!

[rick]

Just awesome! Hopefully plenty of juvies in the area. Too bad these are in such a critical state they are such a gem. When I was younger (20yrs ago) I went fishing with my grandfather and he caught two benders. I was amazed they just looked otherworldly. At the time I had no idea they even existed. In fact I think at the time I may have peed myself just a little because I had no idea of what it was....I went back to the same place four years ago and there no sign of them. Talking to the locals they said that there had only been two reports of catching one in the past few years as well as the sightings were nonexistant.

Just out of curiousity I plead my own ignorance here but is there ever a remote chance that the bender might return to some level of viability? Or is it too late?

[BC]

Hey, nice pics Watterdawgin I was just wondering about how old that larvae is.

Thanks

[waterdawggin]

I found this a little redundant...

Originally Posted by rust

We'll probably go back for some pics as soon as it warms up a little more (wetsuits are for wimps).

I guess my response would be that hypothermia is foolish, and 100% preventable.

I furthermore hope you obtain the proper permits to be "playing" with hellbenders in your state, as the waters where they are found are frequented by your state's authorities. No sense in going to the clink over wildlife.

In regards to what was found:

70 total specimens were found in three days work, all sizes.

Multiple larvae were found together independant of the adults location. No idea on age. These were not counted towards the total number caught.

I'd guestimate the juvie pictured at being 3-5 years old and that's a shot in the dark, as this research isn't really my field.

Cheers!

[Russ Cormack]

Originally Posted by waterdawggin

I found this a little redundant...

Redundant? Let me get my dictionary.

I guess my response would be that hypothermia is foolish, and 100% preventable.

It was a joke for those who have been in the water with me. I'm cheap, very cheap.

I furthermore hope you obtain the proper permits to be "playing" with hellbenders authorities. No sense in going to the clink over wildlife.

I know the law here, and tipping rocks to photograph wildlife does not qualify as harassment. Our DNR herp specialist is realistic and reasonable about such activities.

Keep in mind that annually you probably crush more larvae walking in the stream beds doing surveys than benders lost to incidental take and poaching nation wide.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by rust

Keep in mind that annually you probably crush more larvae walking in the stream beds doing surveys than benders lost to incidental take and poaching nation wide.

This statement scares me a lot.

[AJ]

It scares me too.

[waterdawggin]

While your assessment may make sense logically speaking, it is my understanding that little is known about larval hellbender habits and preferred habitats. If I am mistaken, please feel free to guide me to literature stating otherwise.

This being said, I would suspect that predation and habitat loss which would include water quality issues being number one in regards to larval survivorship.

While a few may be lost to being crushed during surveys, I view assessments of their numbers a necessary "evil" as you pose it.

So it becomes one of those situations, darned if you do......

[John Clare]

Why did you remove the photographs? It makes this thread somewhat pointless if we can't see the photos any more.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by John

Why did you remove the photographs? It makes this thread somewhat pointless if we can't see the photos any more.

I think I get it.... This a very deep thread that is an abstract representation of how Hellbenders and their young are disappearing in the wild. You may see them in a river (or forum thread) once, but on your return trip they may be gone and sooner than you'd hope.... Maybe...? Hey, I tried....

[waterdawggin]

Picture pirates had their chance. Once I put a name on them, they will return.

But I do like the previous poster's analysis. That's genuine.