Axolotl is an amphibian and most commonly found in the Lake Xochimilco and few other lakes in the city of Mexico. Before the extinction of the Lake Chalco, Axolotl has been native to the lake but as for now, Lake Xochimilco in central Mexico is considered to be the Axolotl’s home place.
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Facts About Axolotl :
- Axolotl have other names like Mexican Salamander and Mexican walking fish. Though the name of the species indicates ‘fish’, but Axolotl is an amphibian. It can be pronounced easily as ‘Ac-sa-lah-tul’.
- The length of the Axolotl varies from 6 - 18 inches (15 – 45 cm) and the common length of the Axolotl is about 9 inches (23 cm). Eye-lids are absent and wide heads are present for the Axolotls.
- Axolotl is considered as the carnivorous animal as it consumes insects, worms and small fish. Due to its small size, it can be a prey to large fishes and birds (herons).
- This species are considered as the gilled amphibians and have cartilaginous skeleton. Through the cartilaginous gills, it undergoes respiration and breathes oxygen. Axolotls lives inside the water all the time and rarely few matured axolotls will emerge out from water.
- It consumes food with the use of teeth on upper jaws and lower jaws. The excretion process is through the gills and some nitrogenous wastes will be excreted as urine.
- Axolotl is a neotenic salamander and without metamorphosis it exhibits sexual maturity. Mostly in the spring season breeding takes place and lays eggs.
- Female Axolotls lay hundreds of eggs inside the water which easily sticks to rocks and plants inside the water and the eggs turn into small axolotl after a month.
- Axolotls are generally seen in black and mottled brown colors and sometimes white colored axolotl can also be seen in aquariums.
- Axolotl is near to extinction due to increase in pollution in Mexico City and is considered as the one of the endangered species in the world.
- Now, Axolotls can be seen in various aquariums all over the world. It is said that, Axolotls may extinct in the wild and they can only be seen in the aquariums.
- Axolotl can be cooked and consumed by the humans. In previous days, people near Lake Xochimilco catch axolotls and prepares a tasty meal.
- In aquariums and captive shelters, axolotls also eat earthworms, wax worms, salmon pellets and sometimes trout.
- International union of conservation of the nature has listed the Axolotl under red list considering this as the critically endangered species.
- Few sellers may sell Axolotls and its eggs. The price of Each Axolotl would be $30 approx., and eggs price would be depend up on the number of eggs, generally ranging from approx., $25 to $65.
