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Both species, C. a. alleganiensis and C. a. bishopi undergo a metamorphosis after around a year and a half of life.
It is at this point — when they are roughly 13. 5 centimeters in length — that they lose the gills that were present during their larval stage, and develop toes from lobes on their front limbs and “ paddle-shaped ” hind limbs.
Until this point, they are easily confused with mudpuppies, and can be differentiated often only through toe number.
After this metamorphosis, hellbenders have to be able to absorb oxygen through the folds in their skin, which is largely behind the need for fast moving, oxygenated water.
If a hellbender ends up in an area of slowly moving water, not enough water will pass over its skin in a given time period, making it difficult to garner enough oxygen to support necessary respiratory functions.
Likewise, a below favorable oxygen content can make life just as difficult.

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