What is THAT strange-looking animal? 🦎 It's the eastern hellbender, North America's largest salamander — and it's endangered in Ohio. The critter requires cool, fast-moving and clean water. And for many years, that was a tall order. “Hellbenders breathe through their skin, and if they’re breathing in toxic chemicals, they can’t really breathe,” says Moni Bowman Bell, a wildlife communications specialist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. “They need access to clean water and clean and safe housing — just like people.” As a result, conservationists have taken a special approach to help the animal get a boost in the state. (Heads up: It's ✨Critter Week✨ here at Cleveland Magazine! We're sharing stories about Northeast Ohio’s natural wildlife leading up to Tuesday, when we'll reveal the cover star of our September Critter issue.) 🔗 Read more about the eastern hellbender at the link in bio. 🖊 vguerrieri 📸 iStock #cleveland #cle #critter #ohio #hellbender your_wild_ohio