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Fast Facts
Type: Amphibian
Diet: Carnivore
Average lifespan in the wild: 10 to 15 years
Size: up to 12 in (30 cm)
Weight: 2.11 to 8 oz (60 to 227 g)
Did you know? Because they have the ability to regenerate lost body parts, axolotls are probably one of the most scientifically studied salamanders in the world.
Protection status: Endangered
Size relative to a tea cup:
Mexican Axolotl Profile
The Mexican axolotl (pronounced ACK-suh-LAH-tuhl) salamander has the rare trait of retaining its larval features throughout its adult life. This condition, called neoteny, means it keeps its tadpole-like dorsal fin, which runs almost the length of its body, and its feathery external gills, which protrude from the back of its wide head.
Found exclusively in the lake complex of Xochimilco (pronounced SO-chee-MILL-koh) near Mexico City, axolotls differ from most other salamanders in that they live permanently in water. In extremely rare cases, an axolotl will progress to maturity and emerge from the water, but by and large, they are content to stay on the bottom of Xochimilco