Why is our mascot the Hellbender?
When we were deciding on a mascot for our swim team, we were looking for three things:
- An aquatic animal
- Native to our area of western Pennsylvania
- Something unique (and cute!)
We looked no further than... our state salamandar! In fact, on April 23, 2019, the State of Pennsylvania declared the Eastern Hellbender Salamander the official state amphibian.
So, what is a hellbender?
The Easterm Hellbender is the largest salamander in the United States. They can grow up to 29 inches long and have flat reddish-brownish bodies. They're kind of a slimy animal which has led to its nickname of Snot Otter. The tail of the Hellbender creates most of its propulsion in the water. You can find the Easter Hellbender in many shallow, fast-moving rocky streams in Appalachia, even here in Cambria County. The Easter Hellbender has a range from Northern Georgia to Southern New York. It primarily feeds on crayfish but will sometimes feed on other small animals that it can fit in its mouth.
The Hellbender has a need for clean fresh water (just like us swimmers!). It is an indicator species for the health of our rivers and streams. Although it is not endangered, its population has been declining for years.
As our team grows, we hope to provide support and awareness for our unique mascot.
To learn more about the Eastern Hellbender please watch this short video:
The Last Dragons - Protecting Appalachia's Hellbenders from Freshwaters Illustrated on Vimeo.
