Axolotl

What is an axolotl?

As legend has it, the axolotl is the Aztec god of fire and lightning, Xolotl, which disguised himself as a salamander to avoid being sacrificed. But these Mexican amphibians are impressive enough on their own, with the ability to regenerate lost limbs and stay “young” throughout their lives.

How are axolotls kept in captivity?

In captivity, the axolotl is kept in a temperature-controlled aquarium, furnished with artificial plants, rocks, and areas in which to hide, to mimic its natural habitat. The wild axolotl is found exclusively in the Xochimilco, Mexico lake complex, near Mexico City.

Where can I see axolotls in Mexico?

Lake Xochimilco, Mexico City (Amanecer en Xochimilco). The native habitat of Axolotls, important to the study of preservation and conservation. The axolotl is only native to the freshwater of Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in the Valley of Mexico.

What color eyes does an axolotl have?

Domestic axolotls were specially bred to display a white body coloration, paired with black eyes, but wild axolotls are normally black or a greenish brown, with red eyes. This species’ fancy headdress is actually the salamander’s gills, which allow the creature to breath under water.

What kind of animal is an axolotl?

The axolotl (/ˈæksəlɒtəl/, from Classical Nahuatl: āxōlōtl [aːˈʃoːloːtɬ] ( listen); plural axolotls or rarely axolomeh), Ambystoma mexicanum, also known as the Mexican walking fish, is a neotenic salamander related to the tiger salamander.

What is the difference between an axolotl and a salamander?

Axolotls are much larger than other salamander species. Axolotls live permanently in water, unlike other salamanders that can also live on land. Axolotls are native to Mexico, whereas other salamander species can be found elsewhere. Axolotls are native to Mexico.

Do axolotls come out of the water?

In extremely rare cases, an axolotl will progress to maturity and emerge from the water, but by and large, they are content to stay on the bottom of Xochimilco’s lakes and canals. Close relatives of the tiger salamander, axolotls can be quite large, reaching up to a foot in length, although the average size is closer to half that.

Are axolotls good for beginners?

Having an Axolotl in captivity is hard and they need a lot of special attention. For that reason, beginner pet and fish owners are persuaded into buying other fish before they move on to Axolotls. Basically, they are not for beginners and it is simply because they have very demanding needs in order to survive in captivity.

Where do Axolotls live in Mexico?

Found exclusively in the channel complex of Xochimilco, within the limits of Mexico City, axolotls differ from most other salamanders in that they live permanently under water. This salamander once made its home in the interconnected lakes that filled the basin of Tenochtitlan, where Mexico City now stands.

Are axolotls freshwater amphibians?

Axolotls are native exclusively to the lake complex of Xochimilco, Mexico City. Therefore, they are a freshwater amphibian with a limited geographical distribution in the wild. Xochimilco Lake, Mexico City

Are axolotls going extinct?

Axolotls are an aquatic salamander species with an amazing ability to regenerate lost limbs and damaged organs. Despite their “superpower”, this virtually immortal salamander is paradoxically headed for extinction. Axolotls are native exclusively to the lake complex of Xochimilco, Mexico City.

What is a Mexican axolotl salamander?

Mexican axolotl salamanders are amphibians that spend their whole lives underwater. Mexican axolotl salamanders are amphibians that spend their whole lives underwater. Mexican axolotl (pronounced ACK-suh-LAH-tuhl) salamanders are amphibians that spend their whole lives underwater.