ANIMAL: Axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum Type of Animal: Salamander Habitat: Cool still-water lakes, shallow canals Location(s): Lake Xochimilco & Lake Chalco in C Mexico Appearance: Cylindrical body, short legs, long tail, usually dark brown or black w/ greenish mottling, captive bred mutations often come in whitish-pinkish colors, noticeable feathery external gills, lidless eyes Food/Diet: Worms, insects, insect larvae, shrimp, small fish, tadpoles, slugs, snails. Adults prey on juveniles of own species. Status in Wild: Critically Endangered Conservation: Study of native range, breeding in zoos/aquariums/aquaculture/labs, use of floating gardens to filter water/provide nutrients, building biofilters in native habitat, releasing captive-bred animals into restored canals/artificial environments Lifestyle: Solitary or small groups of 2-6 animals Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young: Larva Group: Congress Weight: Male: 5 oz Female: 6 oz Gestation: 3 weeks Life Span: 5-6 years in wild, 10-15 years in captivity Body Length: Male: 6 in Female: 9-12 in Young: 1 in Tail Length: Male: 4.5-5 in Female: 3-4 in Main predators of adults are birds, fish, & mammals. Aquatic insects & many fish prey on axolotl larvae. Critically endangered due to pollution, restricted range, pet trade, harvesting for meat, urbanization, droughts, habitat degradation, competition/predation by invasive species (especially Nile Tilapia and Common Carp), & use in medical research. Known for unique life cycle where they reach maturity w/o undergoing metamorphosis. Adults retain gills/aquatic lifestyle never transitioning to terrestrial adult form-known as neoteny. While not a fish, sometimes called Mexican walking fish. Females lay up to 1,000 eggs at a time (up to 3,000 a year). Webbed feet & long tail aid in swimming. These animals were once a staple in Aztec diet. Locate food by smell & suck food into stomachs w/ vacuum force. Active at night (nocturnal). Fun Fact(s): Two Pokemon inspired by these salamanders-Wooper & Mudkip. Used extensively in medical research. Ability to regenerate limbs/gills/tails & even parts of brain/spinal cord. Can even regenerate tissues without scarring. Makes them models in regenerative research. Low cancer incidence/resistance to carcinogens makes them model organisms in cancer research. Also maintain juvenile-like cells throughout lives, making them model organisms in aging studies. Axolotl means water monster in Nahuatl language & named after Aztec god of fire/lightning-Xolotl, who transformed himself into axolotl to avoid sacrifice by fellow gods. One of the few creatures on Earth using gills & lungs to breathe, though they mostly use gills.
