Axolotl
(Ambystoma mexicanum)
Axolotls are freshwater salamanders that live their entire lives underwater. They have long tails, external gills, and a large, flat head. The axolotl skips the metamorphosis stage during their growth process and maintain their larval features-external gills and tadpole-like dorsal fins. In the wild, these salamanders can only be found in Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in Mexico City.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
Habitat:National Amphibian Conservation Center
Class:Amphibians
Conservation Status:Critically endangered
Size:6 to 18 inches long
Weight:2 to 8 ounces
Median life expectancy:10 to 15 years
Diet:Worms, mollusks, insects, crustaceans and small fish
