• Key Information

  • Axolotls

  • Species
    Ambystoma mexicanum
  • Diet
    Carnivore
  • Length
    6 to 17 in
  • Weight
    Up to 0.5 lb
  • Lifespan
    10 to 15 years
  • Classification
    Amphibia > Urodela > Ambystomatidae
  • Conservation Status
    Critically endangered
  • Habitat
    Lakes of central Mexico
  • Learning Point
  • The axolotl is a type of salamander that has not gone through the process of metamorphosis, changing from its young form to its adult form. They are critically endangered in the wild.
  • The axolotl has become a popular pet. It is also used a lot by scientists for research, especially because it can regenerate parts of it body that it looses.
  • Project
  • Draw an axolotl exploring the lakes near Mexico city.
  • Location
  • Places
    Mexico, Central America.
  • Fun Facts
  • The name "axolotl" comes from the Nahuatl language.
  • The species was originally found in several lakes, such as Lake Xochimilco underlying Mexico City.
  • Axolotls are almost extinct in the wild, perhaps less than 1000 adults in the wild.
  • Axolotls were also sold as food in Mexican markets and were a in the Aztec diet.
  • The axolotl genome (DNA) is about 10 times larger than the human genome.