#lasagna lizard

SNOT OTTER
(Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)

Herasimtschuk, D. 2015. “Two male Eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) fight over prime breeding habitat”
North Carolina, USA

Better known as the hellbender, the snot otter ain’t no mustelid. Also recognised as the mud dog, lasagna lizard, grampus and several more delightful vernaculars, this sizeable salamander has only its appearance to blame (most notably the thick, slimy folds of skin running down the lateral sides of the animal). I think they’re adorable.