Pennsylvania now has an official amphibian. Gov. Wolf signed the bill earlier this week naming the Eastern Hellbender, also know as the “snot otter” or Allegheny alligator, the state’s amphibian. Ordinarily I think these kinds of acts are silly, but this one was sponsored by Sen. Gene Yaw, a Republican of moderate persuasion, who points out that the hellbender is very sensitive to polluted water and acts as a warning when water quality is bad.
The hellbender, which grows up to two feet, probably should be listed as an endangered species, although I doubt if this will happen under the Trump administration.
As a kid I recall looking for them.
ReplyDeleteThey may be the ugliest amphibians on the planet, but they are our amphibians!
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