Did you know that North America’s largest Salamander species is right up the road in the Blue Ridge Mountains? Looking at a Hellbender is like witnessing the first creature to crawl on land from the ocean millions of years ago. Western North Carolina is home to a very healthy population of Hellbenders, and we could not be more excited to encounter these incredible animals. From late Augutst to early September, Hellbenders are breeding and competing for den sites. During this time they are moving around the river systems more frequently during the day. They’re typically nocturnal, so this is the best time of year to see them.