Why Is This Rare Smoky Mountain Inhabitant in Danger?

The GSMNP warns visitors about disturbing this mostly unseen residents’ habitat

Before we moved to the mountains of East Tennessee, I spent a significant time knocking around the woods of rural Southern Indiana. It was the ‘80s and I was given freedom to roam that would be considered shocking these days. I certainly wouldn’t give my own kids that sort of free rein in a million years.

There were plusses and minuses to this relatively unfettered lifestyle. On the positive side, I learned wayfaring. I could travel significant distances into these large woods – some of which were on the edge of the Hoosier National Forest – and could make my way home.

I also wasn’t afraid to be alone in the woods after dark. Though, we should admit, there are fewer things that can kill you in the woods of Indiana. The further South you go, the more dangerous the wild spaces become.

That said, those old forests weren’t without dangers. We once stumbled upon an old school bus that someone was using as a residence. Whoever it was wasn’t home, luckily. But as an adult I look back on that and realize how bad a situation that could have been. Also, with the hindsight of adulthood, I also realize there was a significant amount of trespassing accomplished in those days as well.

But, that freedom meant that I learned to experience the forest in my own way. If I saw a pretty flower, an interesting weed or a particularly useful branch, I grabbed it. We built lean-tos and found tree vines to swing from and generally operated as if the woods were ours and ours alone.

The rules of the GSMNP

So, when I first came to the Smoky Mountains, I found out that these forest came with … RULES … I was a little shocked. Don’t throw the rocks? You don’t disturb the plants? Don’t pick anything, break anything or put anything you find in your pocket for later?

Of course, I understood when the idea of conservation was explained to me, but in retrospect the idea that it had to be explained at all is a bit funny. I was a little forest king who thought that part of the world was free to be claimed.

And so, when I hear about people going into the Smokies and stacking rocks or skipping stones or chunking little boulders in the mountain streams, I kind of get it. I once too came from a place of a sort of ignorance. I understand the thinking that it doesn’t make much difference if that large rock is in one part of the stream or the other. However, I know enough now to know that it can matter a great deal. Especially to one of the rarest, most unseen wonders of the Smokies, the Hellbender salamander.

What is the Hellbender?

The Smoky Mountains are the salamander capital of the universe, and the Eastern Hellbender is king. Normally, when we think of salamanders, we think of tiny lizard-like amphibians running around the forest floor and streams. Tiny, harmless little guys. The Smokies are full of them.

The Hellbenders are harmless, but they ain’t tiny. Despite being amphibians, Hellbenders live their lives entirely under the waters of mountain streams. Because they breathe through their skin, they prefer cool, clear mountain waters. They need it to survive. And when they do survive, they can grow up two 24 inches long and weigh as much as a small dog. If you are unprepared for their appearance, they can scare the bejesus out of you.

Seeing a big Hellbender is like seeing something alien, from another world. I’ve only seen them in aquariums or on exhibit. I’ve spent more than 30 years messing around in mountain streams. But, I’ve never come across a Hellbender in the wild. Anecdotally, sightings are rarer than bear, elk or many other resident of the mountains.

Why did the Great Smoky Mountain National Park issue a Hellbender warning?

Recently, park officials found one of these rare animals crushed to death under rocks that had been moved or stacked in the national park. Rock stacking is apparently a thing. People find it soothing – meditative, even – to take rocks in the park and stack them. Others – like the younger me – like to take the rocks and chuck them in the stream. They’d make a satisfying kerplunk for a big rock or an even more satisfying array of thwops and thwips when you toss a handful of smaller rocks.

But even though these activities seem harmless, anything that upsets the status quo in the mountains can have an effect on wildlife.

Even if you don’t squish an animal like a Hellbender, you could destroy fragile ecosystems by damaging nests, shelters and home.

According to the National Park, “In late summer until early fall, Hellbenders lay between 100 to 300 eggs beneath rocks. When rocks are disturbed or removed, entire generations can be lost in an instant.” In a park full of natural predators, the Hellbenders don’t need us doing any more damage.

“In the Smokies, everything is protected, even the creatures you can’t always see. Help keep them safe: leave no trace and leave the rocks where they are.”

Are Hellbenders endangered?

As far as the Smokies, not yet, but close. In 2021, the Ozark Hellbenders in Missouri were listed as endangered. (By the way, Ozark Hellbenders would be a great minor league baseball team name). In 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed proposed to list the Eastern Hellbender as endangered throughout its range, in streams across 15 states including my own Southern Indiana playgrounds. But not quite all the way to my part of the state.

The situation was made worse in the Smokies last year by Hurricane Helene, whose massive amounts of waters changed the mountains streams in ways scientists are stull studying. Damage to the Hellbenders’ habitats and population could be significant.

The National Park and other groups hope that by raising awareness, they can prevent folks who don’t know any better from accidentally doing further damage to the ecosystem which could harm the hellbender and others.

“Building dams, channels, or rock stacks might seem harmless, but for the wildlife hiding below, it can be deadly,” the GSMNP said.

Did you know that rock stacking can kill endangered salamanders? Tell us what you think in the comments!