Quote:
Originally posted by Jerry Bransford
WTF is that thing? 
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It truly is a "Hellbender", it's what I took my handle from.
We call them "Mud Dogs" or "Mud Puppies" around here. We see them at night in the local rivers, they normally get to be about 18" long or so, full grown.
They are a very large (slightly rare) salamander that has external gills (they are NOT air breathers). The one Joe has a pic of looks like the gills have dried up or been removed (when stuffed). I believe they are the largest salamander in the world, if I remember right..........
Didn't know I was so ugly, huh?
HB