Ecological role

The Ozark Hellbender plays a vital role in our ecosystem. Adult's help maintain our crawfish population, (Ozark Hellbender, n.d.) as that is one of its main sources of food.  Larva Ozark hellbenders typically feed on smaller aquatic insects, (Ozark Hellbender, n.d.) helping keep those populations under control as well.  

Ozark Hellbenders are also major indicators of the river streams health. (Ozark Hellbender, n.d.) If the number of Ozark hellbender is in decline, there is a good chance something is wrong with their habitat. Ozark hellbenders decline in population helps bring attention to the water temperature, pollution levels, and overall quality of the Ozark's river systems.