The Eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis) isn’t nearly as fearsome as its name implies. The biologists ultimately detected hellbender DNA at 22 locations across Kentucky, 12 of which had existing historical records related to the animals. “We could clearly tie stream habitat quality to where hellbender DNA turns up,” added study co-author Sarah Tomke. That’s how we give this species a chance.”Thankfully, it sounds like the most extensive hellbender mapping effort of its kind wasn’t a total bust for its participants. “Seeing a hellbender is incredible, and holding one is next level,” Tomke said.