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Mike Raykovicz: Troubled hellbender tells us plenty about the waters it calls home

Hellbenders are the largest aquatic salamander found in America and can reach lengths from 12 to 29 inches. (USFWS photo)

My introduction to the eastern hellbender or mudpuppy came at an early age.
I was about 14 years old when I first held one in my hand and it scared me half to death. As kids, we frequently fished the Susquehanna River for smallmouth bass and never used an artificial lure. We waded the river in a pair of cut-off jeans and wore an old pair of sneakers.

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