Researchers study eastern hellbender salamanders parental habits
Unlike most wildlife species, male hellbenders provide exclusive care for their young for an extended period of seven months.
Although eastern hellbender salamanders are known by many unflattering nicknames -- mud puppy, snot otter, grampus, and Allegheny alligator -- about 70 percent of adult male hellbenders should more accurately be known as doting fathers.
Unlike most wildlife species, male hellbenders provide exclusive care for their young for an extended period of seven months.
