A rather unusual creature many people ask about is the axolotl. These weird-looking amphibians will tend to get many double-takes at the pet store. People are not sure precisely what they are when they first set their eyes on them because they are odd-looking, even for amphibians.
This unique little creature is sometimes called the “walking fish” when you get a good look at them in motion; you figure out why.
Our Axolotl ultimate guide below will go over the significant characteristics of one of the oddest exotic pets around. It is a very different type of pet than a bearded dragon for example.
Table of Contents
What is an Axolotl?
so what is an axolotl? Well, the axolotl, also known as Ambystoma mexicanum, is a paedomorphic salamander with a very particular genetic makeup.
The axolotl retains several characteristics of its larval form even as an adult. This is due to a rare condition referred to as “Neoteny.”
An axolotl will have similar features to a tadpole throughout most of its adult life. These features include a dorsal fin resembling a quill and long feather-like gills, one of the axolotl’s definitive physical characteristics.
What Do Axolotls Eat?
Axolotls, like other salamanders, are carnivores that will eat insects, mollusks, small fish, crustaceans, and worms. Therefore, pet axolotls should have a similar high-protein carnivorous diet.
The story of the axolotl is an interesting one. These small salamanders may look gentle; however, they were once at the top of the food chain in their natural habitat. Today their dwindling numbers result from invasive fish, like tilapia, being introduced into their ecosystem.
Axolotl Size And Weight
Axolotls spend their entire lives in the water, sometimes making fishermen mistake them for fish. They are sometimes referred to as Mexican walking fish due to their physical appearance and the fact that they never leave the water.
- Axolotl Weight: Between 50 to 250 grams
- Axolotl Length: Between 15 to 45 centimeters (6 – 18 inches)
- Axolotl Lifespan: 10 to 15 years (depending on the quality of care)
- Population In The Wild: Roughly between 700 and 1,400
What Does An Axolotl Look Like?
Axolotls have several possible pigmentations, including black, blue, grey, pink, brown, and even albino. Axolotls will also sport a very fine dorsal fin that resembles a quill. However, their most prominent feature is their external gills which stick out and sometimes resemble a crown or a lion’s mane.
Are Axolotls Different From Other Salamander Species?
Although Axolotls are related to salamanders, they are very different in appearance, habitat, and overall anatomy. These features make them similar but also very different to olms, fire salamanders, and newts. Below we will take a look at the key differences between axolotls and some species of salamanders.
- Size: Axolotls are usually larger than most other salamanders/
- Location: Axolotls are native to particular regions in Mexico. These include Lake Xochimilco and some small bodies of water near Mexico city.
- Habitat: Axolotls spend their entire lives in the water, unlike salamanders that sometimes go on dry land.
- Appearance: Axolotls are neotenic, meaning they retain several key features of their time as a tadpole or “young salamander.”
Where Can One Find Axolotls In The Wild?
Axolotls have a small native habitat primarily focused on Xochimilco Lake and adjacent waterways near Mexico City. However, it is not only natural waterways where we find axolotls. People can also find them in man-made canals near Mexico’s capital city.
Axolotls have evolved to perfectly adapts to their natural habitat. Being neotenic has allowed them to thrive in high elevations and an average water temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celcius).
Axolotls In Mexican Folklore
Axolotls also make appearances in Mexican folklore. According to a popular Mexican myth, an axolotl is an Aztec god that, to avoid being sacrificed, decided to disguise himself as a salamander.
Not all Mexicans see them as an undercover diety. Axolotls are overfished mainly because some locals see them as a delicacy. Overfishing due to the consumption of Axolotls has been one of the main reasons they appear on the endangered species list.
Axolotls Are On The Endangered Species List?
Axolotls are situated on the IUCN conservation index as “critically endangered.” The axolotls’ category on the index puts them in a compromising position, reflecting their substantial decline in numbers. As a result, it is possible that they can soon become extinct in the wild very soon. On the other hand, there are now several more specimens of axolotls in captivity than in the wild.
There are several reasons why the axolotls’ numbers are dwindling so sharply in recent years. Below we will go over some of the most apparent reasons.
- Loss of Habitat: As Mexico city grew and developed the surrounding land, vast areas of the Xochimilco lake complex were destroyed. This included Lake Chalco, one of the main habitats for axolotls.
- Overconsumption: As mentioned before, a portion of the population considers the axolotl a local delicacy and, therefore, a significant demand.
- Pollution: As Mexico city quickly grew, so did the pollution poured into the Xochimilco water network. This made large water areas that were previously Axolotls’ habitat inhospitable.
- Invasive Species: Invasive species like tilapia have become the top predator in the Axolotls’ habitat.
In recent years, local authorities have seen the extinction of the axolotl as a genuine concern. As a result, there are now renewed efforts to help the axolotl try to make a comeback, including adding lab-bred specimens back into the wild to increase the genetic pool.
Why Are Axolotls So Important?
Biologists are particularly worried about Axolotls due to their unique biology. These unique salamanders have a particular genetic makeup that they are among the most studied creatures on earth. One particular characteristic that intrigues biologies is the axolotls’ ability to regenerate lost limbs.
If one specimen loses a limb like a foot, axolotls have a unique attribute that will allow them to grow it back quickly. The implications of harnessing salamanders’ ability can lead to medicine and the treatment of various degenerative diseases.
Inbreeding In Captive Axolotls
There are currently more axolotls in captivity than in the wild, and scientists are worried that inbreeding has become quite common in the species due to the lack of a broader genetic pool. Inbreeding in axolotls can present long-term health issues like diseases. Inbreeding can also lower their biological value as a species that needs to be studied. Therefore conservation efforts might dwindle over time.
The axolotl faces several hurdles before making a comeback in the world. With dwindling specimens in its natural habitat, the axolotl might soon disappear in Mexican waterways. Conservation efforts are an essential part of securing the future of the Axolotl.
Conclusion
The axolotl is a fascinating salamander with unique characteristics. Some of its physical attributes as a young specimen remain the same in adults. It is considered an endangered species in the whid; however, there are more axolotls in captivity. This includes pet shops around the world.
