The axolotl is known as the “Peter Pan” of salamanders and holds an important place in the culture of Mexico.
While most amphibians leave their aquatic phase behind to start their life on land, the axolotl largely retains its larval traits and spends its adult stage in the water. However, it continues to grow and can reach up to 30 cm in length.
Axolotls are amphibians belonging to the genus Ambystoma, which includes 33 species ranging from the Mexican Plateau to the southwest of Alaska and the south of Canada, according to a document published in 2018 by the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
In Mexico, there are 17 species, located in the northeast and center of the country. Of these, 16 are endemic to Mexico, which means they are only found in that part of the world, according to the document.
The axolotl in Mexican culture
In their habitat, axolotls camouflage themselves, allowing them to protect themselves from predators. This is possible thanks to their skin, which varies in color between brown, black, green, mottled colors, golden, and sometimes pink, as there are albino specimens (since they are easier to identify in nature, their images prevail on the internet and in aquariums, but not in the wild).
Axolotls were named in honor of the Aztec god of fire and lightning, Xolotl, who could take the form of a salamander. Xolotl is also associated with dogs, and “atl” is the ancient Aztec word for “water,” so “axolotl” is sometimes translated as “water dog”.
Physically, they also stand out for having only four toes on the hind legs and five on the front ones, without nails. In addition, their body is robust, they lack eyelids, and have lungs and gills.
Threats to the axolotl
Although they are almost extinct in the wild, axolotls thrive in captivity. Due to their unique characteristics, they are commonly seen both in domestic fish tanks and in research laboratories.
In addition to being able to regenerate parts of their body, such as the heart, spinal cord, and brain, axolotls can accept transplanted organs and limbs from other axolotls without the risk of rejection, a trait that makes them interesting in the field of medical research.
The axolotl is not just a rare amphibian; it is a symbol of Mexico’s biodiversity and an invaluable source of scientific knowledge.
Among the threats it faces as a species are habitat degradation, pollution, fishing, non-native predators, and the pet trade.
*With information from WWF.
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