What is an Axolotl?
Axolotl is a species of salamander with a very unique genetic makeup. Due to a rare condition called ‘neoteny’, they retain most of their larval features into adulthood, so they have all the features of a tadpole – from feathery gills to a long, quill-like dorsal fin – even when they’re fully mature.
Axolotls are carnivores, surviving on a diet of worms, insects, crustaceans, molluscs and some small species of fish. Until recent decades, they were at the top of the food chain within their distribution habitat, but today invasive species of perch and tilapia pose a threat and have contributed to a decline in their numbers.
Commonly mistaken for fish, axolotls are unique among the amphibian family in that they spend their entire lives in water. Indeed, axolotls are sometimes known as Mexican walking fish, on account of their appearance and adopted habitat.
axolotl swimming Here are a few further stats and facts to help you get to know these unique creatures:
- Size – 15-45 centimetres
- Weight – 50-250 grams
- Lifespan – 10-15 years
- Colour and characteristics – several known pigmentation types, including brown, black, albino, grey and pale pink; external gill stalks and a caudal dorsal fin as a result of neoteny
- Wild population – 700-1,200 approx.
How do Axolotls Differ from Other Salamander Species?
