Wild Times Archive
Creature Feature

Axolotl

November 13, 2024 | by |
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Due to their incredible superpowers, axolotls are one of the most widely studied laboratory animals in the world. A type of salamander found only in two lakes in Mexico, axolotls are able to regenerate their limbs, lungs, heart, jaws, spines, and parts of their brains. In fact, scientists have discovered that axolotls can regrow a new limb in a few weeks – and not only that, can do it around five times with no scarring! Many of their other organs can regenerate over and over again, while being completely functional.

In addition to their ability to regenerate body parts, axolotls are able to shift their skin colour a few shades lighter or darker, depending on the need for camouflage. They are naturally dark in colour but pink and light-coloured axolotls are being bred by humans as pets.

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Axolotls range between 15 to 45 cm (6-18 inches) in length and they typically weigh around 225 grams (8 ounces).

Axolotls are endemic to Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City, Mexico, meaning they are found in the wild nowhere else on Earth.

Axolotls are carnivores that will eat anything they can catch. They typically eat crustaceans, insects and worms. They are predators that prefer hunting at night, sometimes biting small rocks to help grind food for easier digestion.

Axolotls are neotenic, meaning they retain some of their juvenile characteristics in adulthood. They are usually lethargic creatures, but may become more active in warmer waters. Axolotls are solitary and thrive on their own, but will get together during mating seasons for reproduction.

These animals breed once a year. Females lay 300 eggs on average but are able to lay up to 1,000. Female axolotls lay their eggs on plants and rocks to protect them from predators. The eggs take two weeks to hatch and require no parental care.

Axolotls live between 5-6 years on average in the wild, but can live between 10-15 years in captivity.

Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild due to pollution, habitat degradation, and human overpopulation.

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