Virginia Tech salamander expert joins 'Wild Kratts' for a creature adventure
The Kratt brothers, Chris and Martin, are known for taking their fans on wild adventures with creatures of all kinds—from the tiny to the mighty - during their PBS Kids television show “Wild Kratts.”
When they sought to explore one of the Appalachian region's most legendary and elusive creatures — the hellbender salamander — for an upcoming episode, they turned to Virginia Tech wildlife expert William Hopkins as their guide.
“When the Kratt brothers reached out for assistance with this episode, I was thrilled to collaborate,” said Hopkins, director of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute's Global Change Center and professor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. “Their ability to translate complex scientific information into accurate, accessible, adventurous, and fun educational programming was one of the most unique science communication experiences of my career.”
The episode will air on Nov. 4 at 7 a.m. ET on Blue Ridge PBS.
Chris and Martin Kratt introduce each "Wild Kratts" episode with a live action segment that imagines what it would be like to experience a never-before-seen wildlife moment and asks "what if” before transitioning into an animated adventure.
During this portion of the episode titled “Salamander Streaming,” Hopkins helps the brothers get up close and personal with these slippery, ancient amphibians. They learn about the fascinating aspects of the hellbender’s biology and how human activities threaten these salamanders’ habitats.
As Chris and Martin Kratt navigate the icy streams, viewers will learn about the importance of stream conservation and how creatures like the hellbender are directly impacted by changes to their environment.
The collaboration between Hopkins and the “Wild Kratts” team illustrates how science and entertainment can join forces to educate the public. By highlighting the hellbender’s amazing biology as well as its plight, the show aims to raise awareness about the need to preserve clean water and healthy ecosystems — for all creatures that rely on these habitats.
“I'm hopeful that this episode will excite a new generation of kids about wildlife conservation, and remind viewers of all ages of what's at stake if we don't take better care of our planet,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins spent nearly two decades wading through the frigid streams of Southwest Virginia to unravel the secrets of these giant salamanders. Hellbenders are the largest salamanders in North America, and because they spend their entire lives underwater, their survival depends on clean, cool streams, making them a key indicator of ecosystem health. Hopkins' research has focused on understanding the connections between stream habitat quality, hellbender health, and the status of their populations.
According to the PBS Kids website, "Wild Kratts" is the No. 1 educational program on PBS Kids and has been translated in 44 languages for broadcasts on other networks around the world. In 2024, the show won the Canadian Screen Award, the equivalent of the Emmy Awards in the U.S., for Best Animated Program or Series.
Written by Michaella O'Brien
