Spot Them
The average lifespan of axolotl in the wild is up to 10-15 years. They can get pretty big; their length ranges from 6-18 inches. The most common is a size close to 9 inches long and rarer ones are greater than 12 inches. The typical wild axolotl is brown with spots or black, but white and albino species are commonly in captive. This is because pet breeders breed them so that the animals have double recessive genes, so they have white/pink eyes who also are double homozygous for an albino trait.
Model Organism
Axolotls are the ideal model organism because they are easy to breed compared to other salamanders. One feature that attracts people for research is the embryo that shows the development of a vertebrate. They are also used in heart defect studies because of a mutant gene that causes heart failure in embryos. The aspect of the Axolotl that attracts the most attention is its ability to heal. Compared to us, who heal by scarring, the axolotl can regenerate lost appendages or even vital structures within months. They are capable of accepting transplants from other axolotls, restoring them completely. They are also able to repair a damaged limb or even regenerate a new one, where they end up with an extra appendage. This is why axolotls are studied for the development of limbs in vertebrates.
Habitat/Extinction
Axolotl is found near Mexico City in Lake Xochimilco. They were also found in Lake Chalco in Mexico, but since the lake has been drained, Axolotls are no longer there. One of the natural threats is predatory birds, like herons.
In 2010, wild axolotls were nearly extinct because of the growth of Mexico City which has contributed to urbanization, water pollution, and invasive species (tilapia & perch) in Mexico City. One threat that the axolotls have to face is their popularity in the aquarium trade because they are roasted and are considered a delicacy in Mexico. They are a critically endangered species.
Own as a pet?
Axolotls are becoming trendy pets in parts of the world. In Japan, they are known as “wooper looper.” As mentioned before they are often in captivity to be used as research, so their diet consists of trout and salmon pellets, frozen or live bloodworms, earthworms, waxworms, and certain fish.
Did you know that all Pokemon are based on real-life animals? You can tell this through multiple evolutions featured in the games. From Wurmple to Silcoon/Cascoon to Beautifly/Dustox (respectively) or from Caterpie to Metapod to Butterfree, we all see evolutions that we are familiar with because we know of the parallels of the stages of metamorphosis in a butterfly in real life. There are differences in the realm of Pokemon and real life as metamorphosis is a part of a Pokemon's life that has to occur. For example in Pokemon, it is possible to prevent evolution, but obviously, it’s impossible to prevent metamorphosis in real life. But with some Pokemon, they remain in their first stage or “baby” form forever. What if creatures that remain in an immature stage like this existed? It turns out, creatures like this do exist. There’s also a Pokemon that’s based on it.
Wooper, the Water Fish Pokemon, is based on the animal axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). An axolotl is closely related to the Mexican salamander. Most salamanders breathe through external fills, starting as aquatic creatures. As they grow, they develop lungs, and when they fully mature as adults, they can move from water to land. Axolotls, however, retain their larval features throughout their entire. This is called neoteny. Although they retain in its larval state, they still develop sexually at an age around 18-24 months and can breed.
The Axolotl
By: Tiffany Lei