What is an Axolotl?
Common name: axolotl
Family: Ambystomatidae
Genus: Ambystoma
Species: Ambystoma mexicanum
Status: Critically Endangered
Description
Axolotls have long, slender bodies, with feathery external gills that extend from either side of their heads. Their skin is smooth and can range in color from shades of brown to olive green, though captive-bred varieties can also exhibit albino and other color mutations. The axolotl is native to Mexico, particularly the Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco region. The axolotl belongs to the salamander family and is well known for its a neotenic retension of there external gills. Neotenic means it retains its larval characteristics throughout adulthood. Salimanders will have external gills in their larval stage while they are fully aquatic and will lose these gills once they mature and become terrestrial. Axolotls exhibit a remarkable ability to regenerate lost limbs, organs, and even parts of their brain, a capability that has made them subjects of scientific interest.
Morphs
There are many morphs of axolotls in the aquarium trade. Here are some of the more common morphs you’ll come across.
Wild type
This is the color of axolotl found in the wild. They are usually a combination of many dark colors like browns, black, and greens. They’ll also have shiny speckles on there body. They usually have dark eyes and grayish purple gills.
White albino
This axolotl has a white pinkish body with clear or red eyes and red gills. Its fingertips will darken as it gets older.
Leucistic
This axolotl has a white pinkish body with red gills just like the white albino morph but the leucistic has dark pigmented eyes.
Golden albino
This Axolotl Is a yellow color with shiny light patches. It’s eyes are clear and its gills are a peachy pink.
Melanoid (black)
This axolotl has increased dark pigmentation, and lacks light pigments. They do not have golden flecks or other colours throughout their bodies. They are usually one solid black color.
Habitat
Axolotls are found in the cold still waters of Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in Mexico. They have developed to thrive in ancient Mexican agricultural canals built in these lakes. They are an indicator species for a healthy ecosystem in these lakes.
Diet
Wild axolotls will eat worms, snails, crustaceans, small fish and anything else that they can fit in their mouth and swallow. Axolotls in the aquarium trade feed on worms, brine shrimp, small bits of beef or liver, frozen fish food, and sinking fish food pellets.
Mating
A male and a female axolotl will pursue each other. They will nudge, caress, and bite each other which is also sometimes referred as their courtship dance. The male will release sperm packets onto the lake bottom and the female will pick up these packets to fertilize her eggs internally. Once they female lays her eggs, the axolotls do not display any parental behaviors. the eggs and larva will be on there own.
Conservation
The axolotl is extremely endangered. It can only be found in the wild in Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco. The axolotl thrived in the canals made for the ancient agricultural methods in the area, but the axolotl loses more and more habitat as the locals fill the canals to create more farm land. There are efforts to educate the farming population and promote the return of ancient agricultural practices. There is also a good increase in captively bred axolotls that have been release into the wild, increasing their wild population.
