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Where do hellbenders and Asiatic giant salamanders live?
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Caudata
Tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) are widespread across much of the United States. Although they are generally black with yellow blotches, bars, spots, or even stripes, some are lighter in colour or have olive markings. Tiger salamanders belong to the mole salamander family, Ambystomatidae.
Hellbenders and Asiatic giant salamanders belong to the family Cryptobranchidae, a group of large, fully aquatic salamanders.12
Their geographic distribution is as follows:
- Hellbenders: These salamanders are native to the eastern and central United States. They inhabit swift-flowing streams, including the Ohio River and Susquehanna River systems, as well as the Black River system in Arkansas and Missouri.13
- Asiatic giant salamanders: As their name suggests, these species are found in Japan and China.1