Axolotls are amphibians in the salamander family, and they are also neotenous meaning that unlike other salamanders they do not proceed to the adult developmental stage as they age. Instead they remain in the larval stage for their entire life where they retain their gills, reach sexual maturity, and grow up to 18 inches in size (most Axolotls are around nine inches). When introduced to hormones Axolotls may actually metamorphose into the lost adult stage where their coloring is more like that of other salamanders.
In the wild, Axolotls are only found in the remnants of Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City. They formerly inhabited both Lake Chalco and Lake Xochimilco, but, unfortunately for the Axolotl, Lake Chalco was drained and Xochimilco is not so much a lake anymore as it is a group of canals. Due to its diminished habitat and pressures put on the population by the growth of Mexico ciudad, the Axolotl is listed as a critically endangered species. In the Aztec language Axolotl is thought to mean "water dog". The Axolotl was also a staple of the Aztec diet and apparently you can still find grilled Axolotl in Mexico city.
Axolotls are widely used as test subjects by scientists due to their ability to regenerate body parts and ease in breeding
In the wild, Axolotls are only found in the remnants of Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City. They formerly inhabited both Lake Chalco and Lake Xochimilco, but, unfortunately for the Axolotl, Lake Chalco was drained and Xochimilco is not so much a lake anymore as it is a group of canals. Due to its diminished habitat and pressures put on the population by the growth of Mexico ciudad, the Axolotl is listed as a critically endangered species. In the Aztec language Axolotl is thought to mean "water dog". The Axolotl was also a staple of the Aztec diet and apparently you can still find grilled Axolotl in Mexico city.
Axolotls are widely used as test subjects by scientists due to their ability to regenerate body parts and ease in breeding
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