•The
axolotl is a fully aquatic salamander that lives in cold, slow moving waters.
•
•It
is called a neotenic salamander, meaning that it keeps it larval features
into adulthood. It has both gills and lungs.
•
•Axolotls
are widely studied due to its outstanding regeneration abilities.
•
•They
can regrow entire lost limbs, and even parts of their brain and spine.
•The
axolotl is a fully aquatic salamander that lives in cold, slow moving waters.
•
•It
is called a neotenic salamander, meaning that it keeps it larval features
into adulthood. It has both gills and lungs.
•
•Axolotls
are widely studied due to its outstanding regeneration abilities.
•
•They
can regrow entire lost limbs, and even parts of their brain and spine.
•Southern
edge
of Mexico City, in canals in the vicinity of Xochimilco and
the Chalco
wetland.
•Requires
deep-water
lakes and water bodies with
abundant
aquatic vegetation.
•Axolotls
may be found in Lake Xochimilco’s
“floating gardens,” or “chinampas”.
•Is
listed as
Critically Endangered in
the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
•Its
area of
occupancy is less than 10 km sq.
•Its distribution
is severely fragmented
•Continuing
decline
in the extent and quality of its
•Decline
in
the number of mature individuals.
•Desiccation,
pollution and general degradation of the canal system and lakes in Xochimilco
and Chalco,
as a result of urbanization
and demands of Mexico City.
•
•Under
pressure
from traditional harvesting for consumption and medicinal purposes by local
people.
•
•Introduced
fish
species have had a negative impact upon axolotl populations through competition,
predation and introduced disease.