Axolotl water dragon Аксолотль – водяний дракон

Today I want to introduce you to the Axolotl, the peaceful aquarium dragon. Axolotl is an amazing, very unusual species of living creatures. Another name is the aquarium dragon. This is due to the fact that the cunning, dexterity and agility of animals are often planted as aquarium inhabitants. To date, the Axolotl is a rather rare species that is threatened with complete extinction. These creatures are native to Mexico and have been bred in captivity for many years. With their happy smile and never aging look, they have become globally recognizable and loved for many reasons.
But have you ever wondered why there is such interest in this bizarre amphibian?

Here are 10 fantastic axolotl facts that will make you want to have your own axolotl as a pet.

10. Axolotls are found in nature in only one place on the planet.
Axolotls can only be found in one place in the world - in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico.
They live in only two high mountain lakes, although due to the fact that one of them, unfortunately, dried up after a flood, they can now only be found in the wild in one lake.
Lake Xochimilco in southern Mexico City is the only place where they still live in the wild.

9. They never show signs of aging.
These unique creatures belong to the salamander family. However, unlike all other salamanders, they do not undergo metamorphosis.
Metamorphosis is the transition from a juvenile to an adult form.
Axolotls never outgrow the larval stage and this is called neoteny.

8. Axolotls are predators.
Their diet consists of crustaceans, worms, small fish and insects.
They suck up prey through their cute smile, almost like a vacuum cleaner.
Because they don't undergo metamorphosis, they don't grow teeth, so they have to filter everything through their smile.
Axolotls eat everything, whether it is alive or dead.
Young axolotls are known to be cannibalistic and eat the limbs of their fellows.

7. This whimsical creature comes in a variety of colors.
Most axolotls we see online or in pet stores are white and pink. However, in the wild, they can be completely different colors.
As a rule, they are brown or black in color with olive green or golden patterns.
The lighter colored axolotls, which we are perhaps more familiar with, were bred for this.
Often these are albinos, pink or leucistic species that have reduced skin pigmentation.

6. Axolotls were first brought to Europe in 1864. Axolotls are originally from Mexico, but they have since become a worldwide phenomenon.
They were first brought to Paris in 1864, where the trade in these creatures as pets began.
The first exported individuals were used for laboratory purposes to study their ability not to undergo metamorphosis. However, during this process, they thrived in captivity, where the potential was born to start trading them as pets.

5. The search for a couple is accompanied by dancing.
Just when you think they can't be cuter, they dance with their partners during courtship.
When they reach puberty at the age of one year, they look for a partner.
Their mating season is in February, so when the male is ready to mate, he performs the hula dance.
The dance includes swinging the tail and lower body. If the female is interested, she begins to push him with her muzzle.

4. Axolotls can regenerate new body parts. Like salamanders, axolotls can grow new limbs and tails like other amphibians.
What sets them apart is that they can also regenerate their jaws, skin, spinal cord, and organs.
This rare and unique ability is found nowhere else in the animal kingdom.
The ability to regenerate has intrigued scientists for years, so research is being done to find out how they do it.

3. Axolotl - the Aztec god of fire and lightning. The Aztecs have a legend that Xolotl, the god of fire and lightning, turned into an axolotl.
According to legend, he used shapeshifting to save himself from being sacrificed.
Axolotls appear regularly in Aztec culture and have been around for millions of years.

2. They are an endangered species.
Axolotls are an endangered species mainly due to the loss of their natural habitat.
As mentioned above, they are only found in two lakes in Mexico City. But because one has dried up, there is now only one place on the planet where they can live in the wild.
According to estimates as of 2022, only 700-1200 individuals remain in the wild.

1. Some US states and Canadian provinces do not allow axolotls to be kept as pets.
It may come as a surprise, but in some US states it is illegal to keep axolotls as pets. Each state has its own reasons, but the main one is the risk of axolotls getting into the wild.
If released into the wild in many states, axolotls could cause potential environmental damage.
First of all, native species of salamanders, such as the California tiger ambistoma, may be at risk.
In other states, such as Hawaii, you must obtain a permit to own an axolotl as a pet. #axolotls #axolotl #waterdragon