Week 1: The axolotl!

Did you know these facts about axolotls?

By Keira Lin Ziying

If you think you know all about these creatures, you may be wrong! Some facts may shock you while others may be pretty familiar.

1. Axolotl can regenerate their limbs!

Research has shown that axolotls have retinoic acid in their body parts to tell the regenerative cells to regrow their limbs!

2. Axolotls can change colour of skin to blend in with environment

This is a special adaptation of axolotl to camouflage better with their environment just like reptiles such as octopuses!

3.Lake Xochimilco in Mexico is last home of most axolotl

The axolotl is one of the endangered species around the world. The lake has many artificial islands that local people use to grow vegetables, which is also an ideal habitat for axolotls to grow in.

4. Axolotl don’t have eyelids so they sleep with their eyes open

Like fish, the axolotl does not have eyelids unlike us humans, so don’t be surprised if you see that they keep their eyes open at all times!

5. Axolotl have the largest genome ever sequenced, 10x larger than that of humans

According to research, axolotls, like many other salamanders, have larger genomes than usual. Their genome is larger possibly because of a repetitive dna. After continuous research by scientists, they infer that the repetitive dna is possibly because of the complex regeneration ability which needs a lot of its dna.

6. Axolotls can live up to 15 years!

Axolotls can live from 10-15 years based on the threats to their habitats and their ability to regrow their limbs. According to Bluereef, this ability of regeneration can help axolotls to live for longer periods of time .

7. Axolotls never lose their baby larva attributes

According to National Geographics, the axolotl stops aging after four years and remains in the larva stage for the rest of its life.

So, is it a good idea to keep axolotls as pets?

Although axolotls look very cute, we should not keep them as pets since they are endangered. It takes huge responsibilities to properly care for an axolotl. According to WWF, axolotls have strict dietary and water needs which are very hard to meet.