The **Mexican axolotl** (*Ambystoma mexicanum*), [that iconic amphibian](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/ajolotes-el-secreto-para-frenar-el-envejecimiento-a-los-cuatro-anos-y-su-potencial-en-la-longevidad-humana/) with a gelatinous body and enigmatic gaze, is in **critical danger of extinction**. According to the latest census by the **UNAM Institute of Biology**, its population in the wild continues to decline in the canals of Xochimilco, its only **natural habitat**.
Twenty-five years ago, the situation was already worrying: in 1998 there were 6,000 axolotls per square kilometer. **In 2014, the census recorded only 36**. Now, in 2025, researchers are seeking answers with innovative methods, such as **environmental DNA analysis**, which allows detecting their presence without the need to see them.
“So far, we haven’t found individuals directly, but the DNA evidence gives us hope that they still survive,” explains Paola Cervantes, a member of the research team. Accompanied by local residents, scientists navigate the canals in wooden rafts, observing the water in search of signs of life. However, **pollution, noise, and the invasion of exotic species** such as carp and tilapia have altered the delicate ecosystem.
Basilio Rodríguez, a fisherman from the area, remembers when **axolotls were abundant**: “Before, the water was clear, and in a single net throw, I could catch dozens of them.” Currently, his net only catches mud and small fish.
## **A race against time**
The axolotl is unique in the world not only for its appearance but also for **its regenerative capacity**. It can **rebuild limbs, tissues, and even parts of its brain**, making it a subject of study in biomedicine. However, its degraded habitat puts it in a critical situation.
UNAM has launched a **conservation project** in the so-called “refuge-chinampas,” restored spaces within Xochimilco that seek to **replicate the ideal natural conditions for their survival**. “We carefully select individuals for their reintroduction, ensuring that they are resilient and genetically similar to the original population,” explains Horacio Mena, coordinator of the axolotl colony at the Institute of Biology.
Despite efforts, **the future of the axolotl remains at risk**. While its image adorns bills, plush toys, and bakeries, **its presence in nature** becomes increasingly uncertain. Today, more than [a cultural symbol](https://noticiasambientales.com/animales/curiosidades-del-ajolote-una-especie-caracteristica-de-la-cultura-de-mexico/), it is a reminder of the urgency to save what little remains of its world.
## **General characteristics of the axolotl**
Most axolotls **are black or speckled brown**, although there are also varieties with **white skin and pink or red gills**. Furthermore, it has abilities that are still mysteries to be resolved, such as regenerating its tissues, including those of the brain and heart.
Additionally, on each side of the head, this animal has a few external gills that look like feathers, providing it with oxygen and its unique appearance. But this peculiarity is not the only thing that makes it special since it also retains ancient characteristics of salamanders, but is closer to frogs and toads.
Source: Wired.
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