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As you walk through the mountains and valleys of western North Carolina, our forests reveal a world of rare and remarkable creatures fighting for survival. Hidden in our rivers, mountain forests, and wetland habitats, endangered species like the Carolina northern flying squirrel and the secretive bog turtle tell a story of fragility and resilience.

Soon, the eastern hellbender may join the ranks of endangered animals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently proposed listing the eastern hellbender as an endangered species – a potential lifeline for its survival. 

As the largest salamander in the US, they can grow up to 2.5 feet. Found in just 15 eastern states, including western NC streams and rivers, much of their habitat was destroyed in the flooding from Tropical Storm Helene. So, this designation could improve conservation efforts to protect them.

But what exactly is an endangered species, and why should we care? 

Think of an endangered species as a rare trading card that very few people have. An endangered species is an animal or plant that is at risk of disappearing completely from the Earth. Just like an old, rare trading card that only a few people still have, these species have just a few members left in the wild.

Take the bog turtle, the cutest turtle on the planet (yes, I’m biased). As North America’s smallest turtle species, it’s a great example of the delicate balance of survival. Measuring just 3-4 inches long, these critically endangered tiny reptiles inhabit the rapidly disappearing wetlands of western North Carolina, with fewer than 2,000 individuals estimated in the wild. Their survival hangs by a thread, threatened by habitat destruction, illegal collection, and environmental changes.

But wait, what’s the difference between endangered and critically endangered? Well, there are different federal and state designations, which makes it very confusing. On a federal level, a species is critically endangered if it faces an extremely high risk of extinction due to a population decline of 90% over ten years or if there are fewer than 250 wild animals remaining. Our red wolves living in the eastern part of the state are examples of critically endangered animals, with less than 20 left in the wild.

A species is endangered if it faces a very high risk of extinction. This can be due to a population decline of at least 80% over ten years. But it gets more complicated as each state has its own designations. North Carolina designates the bog turtle as Threatened. Regardless of what we call them, they’re in trouble!

The Carolina northern flying squirrel offers another compelling story. Living almost exclusively above 4,000-foot elevations in our mountains, these nocturnal acrobats navigate forests at night with their survival threatened by habitat loss and climate change. Gliding between ancient red spruce trees, they help disperse crucial fungi needed by the trees to stay healthy. 

This goes back to the question of why should we care? Well, first, once an animal is gone, unless they are cloned, which I still think is creepy, they are gone forever. That is just sad in my book. But more importantly, every animal on the planet is interconnected in some way and plays a part in keeping nature balanced.

Mountain salamanders like the hellbender keep crayfish populations in check. This, in turn, helps native fish and frog populations thrive since crayfish eat fish eggs and tadpoles. 

Flying squirrels disperse crucial fungal spores. Bog turtles help maintain delicate wetland ecosystems. Remove one animal, and the entire system can unravel.

For the next 60 days, you can help hellbenders by commenting on the USFWS site about why they should be listed as endangered. If interested, just email me for details. 

As Jane Goodall reminds us, every individual action matters. These mountain and wetland inhabitants – from wrinkly salamanders to elusive flying squirrels and tiny bog turtles – represent nature’s extraordinary capacity for survival, waiting for us to become their advocates.

The next time you walk through Appalachian landscapes, remember that you’re traversing a living museum of natural wonders, where each step connects you to remarkable stories of resilience and hope.

Loti Woods is a founder of Champions for Wildlife, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire and empower our kids, using art and education, to be champions for wildlife. She can be reached at loti@championsforwildlife.org.