![]() However, in 1984 Lake Xochimilco was deemed a biological reserve, and later in 1987 became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, both aiding its ongoing conservation. Sadly, these fascinating creatures have lost vast portions of their natural habitat to the drainage of large areas of Lake Xochimilco 2, including Lake Chalco, to prevent flooding. ![]() There is no surviving the polluted water they call home. Also, urbanization of the surrounding areas of natural habitat has caused habitat degradation, destruction, and loss. Over time, invasive species like carp, tilapia, and large birds prey on adult and young axolotls. However, we do not have an accurate count of axolotl populations since 2014. Back in 1998, scientists recorded 2,340 axolotls per square mile of Lake Xochimilco. What is the cause of these cute axolotl's threatened extinction? They are facing a threat of extinction if the Mexican government does nothing about it. Do not be deceived by how common it is to find an axolotl salamander in aquariums, whether private or public. The axolotl salamander is a critically endangered species. Pale axolotl photographed at the Bell Isle Aquarium, Detriot. The experiments further showed significant changes in the structure and composition of the microbiota in the skin and digestive system. Also, its fin and gills gradually disappeared, changing over three months into a terrestrial salamander. Research conducted by a group of scientists showed that axolotl lost weight within three weeks of inducing metamorphosis. Some organs are shifted and destroyed while new organs grow. While axolotls can maintain their juvenile features, scientists discovered a way to metamorphose them into adult salamanders forcefully 1.Īdministering thyroid hormone led to the reorganization of axolotl’s organs to adapt to terrestrial life. The previous axolotl fact mentioned axolotl’s everlasting youth. Scientists can change axolotls into regular salamanders. They spend their entire life underwater, unlike the other salamander family members. These larval features include their finned tail, feathery gills, and aquatic lifestyle. They still hold on to their juvenile characteristics and larval traits. They don’t undergo metamorphosis before they become adults like other salamander species. One of the fun facts about axolotls is that they are famous for their ability to remain young forever. They have a reputation for not growing up. In fact, the axolotl respiratory system contains four methods of breathing, through their gills and skin, and axolotls breathe air through their lungs and buccal respiration (inflating their cheeks to pass air to their lungs). They retain their larvae features which include their feathery gills and fin tails, unlike other tiger salamander species that lose their external gills and develop lungs.Īlthough axolotls retain gills, they also develop lungs and can breathe through their thin and moist skin. ![]() Axolotls are amphibians, not fish.Īxolotls are amphibians but remain aquatic throughout their lives instead of evolving like other amphibian animals (e.g., tadpoles into frogs). You'll most commonly find lighter colored axolotls kept in captivity. There are also axolotls with silver dalmatian, firefly, and enigma colors. ![]() These pigments give axolotls different colors like pink, gray, silver, white, golden, black, green, and copper. Lastly, Iridophores are a pigment that contains crystalized purines, which causes iridescence. These compounds are responsible for the colors yellow and red. The second pigmentation cell is xanthophores, which contain carotenoids and pteridines. Melanophores contain eumelanin which is responsible for black and brown pigmentation. Axolotls have a variety of colors.Īxolotls have a variety of colors as their pigmentation cells produce different color variations 3. 15 Cute Axolotl Facts Cute? Photo: iStock 1. Related: For more from the oceans, you might also like to check out our features on the different types of sharks, our compilation of whale facts, and ocean facts. What makes this salamander species special and different from other animals? Here are interesting facts about axolotl. It is typically challenging to find axolotl in other freshwater lakes except when someone is keeping it as a pet. Axolotl facts include its other names like Mexican walking fish, Mexican salamander, and water monster, and its binomial name is Ambystoma mexicanum. It is a neotenic salamander with lizard-like limbs, related to the family of tiger salamanders, and is endemic to Mexico City, Lake Xochimilco, and Lake Chalco. The axolotl is an amphibian with a maximum lifespan of 15 years.
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