Axolotl

General

Population In Wild: 50 - 1,000 The axolotl (or Ambystoma mexicanum) is an amphibian found exclusively in freshwater lakes in Mexico, with only Lake Xochimilco remaining as their natural habitat. Its wild type is green and brown in color, with dark speckles across the body, however axolotls in the pet trade are often leucistic (white) or come in a number of other, vibrant colormorphs. They have prominent gill fans protruding from their necks, a feature common in all salamander larvae, although due to their more aquatic lifestyle, the axolotl keeps these external gills. Its face is wide, with small eyes and a large mouth. They range between 6in and 18in in length, and average at around 10.5oz of weight. Due to habitat loss, the axolotl is critically endangered. Lake Chalco, one of their natural habitats, has been drained for human drinking water; and Lake Xochimilco has been reduced to a canal network. This has caused population fragmentation and hampers axolotl feeding, mating, and spawning behaviors.

Social behaviour

Axolotls are solitary in the wild and are happy living alone in captivity. However, unless different in size, they are content with other axolotls nearby, provided there is sufficient food and space.

Reproduction

If a male axolotl encounters a female, he will initiate a courtship dance where they will both move in circles together. He will undulate his tail, while the female moves closer towards him. Eventually, he will deposit a spermatophore, a capsule containing his seed, which the female will take up into her cloaca. She will individually lay hundreds of eggs between 2 hours and 2 days after mating, usually on plants and stones across a wide area. The larvae hatch after 10 to 14 days, and begin feeding within hours after hatching. From this point on, they are fully self-sufficient. Axolotls, unlike other amphibians, do not undergo metamorphosis: they are paedomorphic, retaining characteristics of juveniles for life - while they are technically capable of metamorphosing, they do not produce the hormones to initiate this process. While other salamanders will lose their gills and begin living on land, axolotls remain in their aquatic larval form. Despite not transforming, axolotls reach sexual maturity between 1 and 1.5 years of age.