The elusive 1.5-foot hellbender salamander.

Hello,

This week Vox published an incredible story about the rare wildlife wonderland that rivals the biodiversity of the rainforests of South America, but lives hidden in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Vox senior environmental reporter Benji Jones gives us a look into the unique creatures that populate the region, including its most populous resident: the salamander.

Vox Members will get a glimpse later this week at what it's like to trek through the Southern Appalachian Mountains searching for salamanders. In our first edition of Field Notes, Benji shares his daily log from reporting in the field — from wading knee-deep in a creek, to fighting backaches, to a determined quest to find the elusive giant hellbender salamander.

To get the behind-the-scenes look into Benji’s trip and see what it’s like to be a Vox reporter in the field, become a Vox Member. Not only does your membership support our newsroom, but it also gives you exclusive access to even more Vox journalism with perks, including members-only newsletters, a brand new digital magazine, a members-only podcast, and more.