What is an axolotl?

Axolotls are aquatic amphibians known scientifically as Amby stoma Mexicana. They are commonly referred to as Mexican walking fish due to their stocky bodies and absence of legs. 

Native to Lake Xochimilcan near Mexico City, axolotls have adapted to life in water and spend their entire lives there without undergoing metamorphosis into land-dwelling adults like most amphibians.

Where do axolotls come from?

Axolotls are endemic to Lake Xochimilcan and its canals in Mexico City. They live lazily under submerged logs and aquatic plants in the shallow, nutrient-rich waters of this high-altitude lake.

Axolotls are adapted to the relatively cool 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit temperature of the lake, so they cannot survive in very hot or cold climates.

What do axolotls look like?

Adult axolotls range from 6-12 inches long. They have dark brown, olive, or muddy grey skin with many ridges. Underneath, their bellies are pale yellowish-white. Defining features are their feathery external gills and tail fin which they use for slow swimming.

When threatened, axolotls may raise their limbs and frills of skin on their sides in defense. Their skin is permeable, allowing nutrients and oxygen to pass directly through.

Are axolotls threatened?

Sadly, the wild population of axolotls is now nearly extinct due to habitat loss. As Mexico City expanded into Lake Xochimilcan, its marshy waters were drained and polluted. 

However, axolotls thrive as a kept pet and are bred in captivity worldwide, ensuring their continued existence. Ongoing conservation breeding programs seek to repopulate Lake Xochimilco if habitat restoration becomes possible.

How do you pronounce axolotl?

Despite its unusual spelling, “axolotl” is straightforward to pronounce – it rhymes with “local hotel.” The stress is on the second syllable: “AK-such-LAH-tool.”

Continued in the next comment…

Why is the axolotl known as the amphibian Peter Pan?

Axolotls retain many juvenile features throughout their lives, never fully undergoing metamorphosis into terrestrial adults. They retain external gills and feathery limbs.

This pedomorphosis is caused by a lack of thyroid hormones needed to trigger maturation. It makes axolotls perennially youthful, inspiring their “Peter Pan” nickname.

Why do axolotls have gills?

As neotenic amphibians, axolotls never lose their external gills. The gills allow them to respire efficiently in oxygen-rich water while their skin simultaneously absorbs oxygen dissolved in the water.

In emergency situations, axolotls can even breathe air through their skin and gills for a limited time out of water.

Can axolotls really grow new legs and arms?

Yes – one fascinating feature is that axolotls can regenerate limbs. If an arm or leg is damaged or amputated, a new one will regrow in its place within a few weeks. 

This is possible due to high levels of stem cells and genetic factors allowing epimorphic regeneration through cell communication and proliferation.

Do people eat axolotls?

Unfortunately, some people do eat axolotls. In traditional Mexican cuisine, axolotls were harvested from Lake Xochimilcan and featured in stews. 

However, given their threatened status, axolotls are no longer sustainably harvested for food. They are now protected and bred only as beloved pets around the world.

Do axolotls make good pets?

Yes, axolotls do very well as pets! They thrive as aquatic pets in cool, cycled tanks of at least 20 gallons. Their simple diet of commercially available sinking pellets provides balanced nutrition.

As long as water conditions are maintained, axolotls are peaceful, personable animals that can live over 15 years with careful care. Their exotic looks and quirks make them hugely popular exotic pets globally.

How Many Colors Do Axolotls Come In?

Axolotls occur in several different colors in the wild and through selective breeding. The most common Morphs found are:

• Wild-type – The normal brown/grey coloration found in nature.
• Albino – Lacks melanin pigments, resulting in white/pinkish color with red eyes.
• Leucitic – Similar to albinism but retains some dark pigmentation in eyes or skin.
• Golden – A leucitic morph with golden/yellow skin hue and red eyes.
• Copper – A rare morph with metallic copper/bronze shades.

However, extensive selective breeding has resulted in over 15 recognized color Morphs through genetic mutations and combinations. Let’s explore some of the most popular variants.

Understanding Axolotl Morphs

Axolotl “Morphs” describe the different color/pattern variations resulting from selective breeding. The term is borrowed from butterfly/moth genetics to denote stable genetic color mutations. Axolotls in the pet trade are now available in an incredible rainbow of hues through careful breeding of Morph strains.

Some key Morphs through selective colors and patterns include:

• Melanoid – Dark grey to black coloration with a shiny, sooty appearance.
• Leucistic – As above but with white/pink patches and red eyes.
• Golden – Vibrant yellow/gold with red eyes.
• Albino – Pure white with pink/red eyes and no other pigment.
• Cinnamon – Golden-brown in color.
• Green – Fluorescence under UV lighting through transgenic GFP genes.

17 Types of Axolotl: A Quick Guide

What is an axolotl?

Axolotls are aquatic amphibians known scientifically as Ambystoma mexicanum. They are commonly referred to as Mexican walking fish due to their stocky bodies and absence of legs. Native to Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City, axolotls have adapted to life in water and spend their entire lives there without undergoing metamorphosis into land-dwelling adults like most amphibians.

Where do axolotls come from?

Axolotls are endemic to Lake Xochimilco and its canals in Mexico City. They live lazily under submerged logs and aquatic plants in the shallow, nutrient-rich waters of this high-altitude lake. Axolotls are adapted to the relatively cool 68-77 degrees Fahrenheit temperature of the lake, so they cannot survive in very hot or cold climates.

What do axolotls look like?

Adult axolotls range from 6-12 inches long. They have dark brown, olive, or muddy grey skin with many ridges. Underneath, their bellies are pale yellowish-white.

 Defining features are their feathery external gills and tail fin which they use for slow swimming. When threatened, axolotls may raise their limbs and frills of skin on their sides in defense. Their skin is permeable, allowing nutrients and oxygen to pass directly through.

Are axolotls threatened?

Sadly, the wild population of axolotls is now nearly extinct due to habitat loss. As Mexico City expanded into Lake Xochimilco, its marshy waters were drained and polluted.

However, axolotls thrive as a kept pet and are bred in captivity worldwide, ensuring their continued existence. Ongoing conservation breeding programs seek to repopulate Lake Xochimilco if habitat restoration becomes possible.

How do you pronounce axolotl?

Despite its unusual spelling, “axolotl” is straightforward to pronounce – it rhymes with “local hotel.” The stress is on the second syllable: “ak-suh-LAH-tul.”

Continued in the next comment…

Why is the axolotl known as the amphibian Peter Pan?

Axolotls retain many juvenile features throughout their lives, never fully undergoing metamorphosis into terrestrial adults. They retain external gills and feathery limbs. 

This pedomorphosis is caused by a lack of thyroid hormones needed to trigger maturation. It makes axolotls perennially youthful, inspiring their “Peter Pan” nickname.

Why do axolotls have gills?

As neotenic amphibians, axolotls never lose their external gills. The gills allow them to respire efficiently in oxygen-rich water while their skin simultaneously absorbs oxygen dissolved in the water.

In emergency situations, axolotls can even breathe air through their skin and gills for a limited time out of water.

Can axolotls really grow new legs and arms?

Yes – one fascinating feature is that axolotls can regenerate limbs. If an arm or leg is damaged or amputated, a new one will regrow in its place within a few weeks. This is possible due to high levels of stem cells and genetic factors allowing epimorphic regeneration through cell communication and proliferation.

Do people eat axolotls?

Unfortunately, some people do eat axolotls. In traditional Mexican cuisine, axolotls were harvested from Lake Xochimilco and featured in stews.

 However, given their threatened status, axolotls are no longer sustainably harvested for food. They are now protected and bred only as beloved pets around the world.

Do axolotls make good pets?

Yes, axolotls do very well as pets! They thrive as aquatic pets in cool, cycled tanks of at least 20 gallons. Their simple diet of commercially available sinking pellets provides balanced nutrition.

As long as water conditions are maintained, axolotls are peaceful, personable animals that can live over 15 years with careful care. Their exotic looks and quirks make them hugely popular exotic pets globally.

 Many Colors Do Axolotls Come In?

Axolotls occur in several different colors in the wild and through selective breeding. The most common Morphs found are:

• Wild-type – The normal brown/grey coloration found in nature.
• Albino – Lacks melanin pigments, resulting in white/pinkish color with red eyes.
• Leucitic – Similar to albinism but retains some dark pigmentation in eyes or skin.
• Golden – A leucitic morph with golden/yellow skin hue and red eyes.
• Copper – A rare morph with metallic copper/bronze shades.

However, extensive selective breeding has resulted in over 15 recognized color Morphs through genetic mutations and combinations. Let’s explore some of the most popular variants.

Understanding Axolotl Morphs

Axolotl “Morphs” describe the different color/pattern variations resulting from selective breeding. The term is borrowed from butterfly/moth genetics to denote stable genetic color mutations. Axolotls in the pet trade are now available in an incredible rainbow of hues through careful breeding of Morph strains.

Some key Morphs through selective colors and patterns include:

• Melanoid – Dark grey to black coloration with a shiny, sooty appearance.
• Leucistic – As above but with white/pink patches and red eyes.
• Golden – Vibrant yellow/gold with red eyes.
• Albino – Pure white with pink/red eyes and no other pigment.
• Cinnamon – Golden-brown in color.
• Green – Fluorescence under UV lighting through transgenic GFP genes.

FAQs

What is the rarest type of an axolotl?
The Lucy morph, which is an incredibly rare genetic mutation that results in an axolotl with fully translucent skin and bones.

How many different axolotls are there?
Over 15 distinct morphs are officially recognized, but selective breeding continuously produces new variants. The total number identified so far is around 30.

Is there a rainbow axolotl?
While no official “rainbow” morph exists, some axolotls exhibit iridescent coloring or pattern morphs like calico/clown that show a rainbow of colors. Breeding may produce a true rainbow variant.

What is the cutest type of axolotl?
Many think baby axolotls, pandas or cinnamons are cutest for their small size and high-contrast colors. But cuteness is subjective – one axolotl’s charm may appeal more to different people!

Final  Thoughts 

Man, when I first learned about all the crazy colors axolotls come in, I was absolutely blown away. As a kid they were just those weird brown dudes in pet stores. But then I started seeing pics of the rainbow varieties – red pandas, calico clowns, even glow-in-the-dark morphs. I couldn’t believe my eyes!

It never gets old browsing the new morph releases that breeders dream up. 

Every time I see the speckled cuties or tie-dye patterns of marbled “merles”, it puts a huge grin on my face. And don’t even get me started on the pearlescent ones – they’re like magical underwater fairies. Just looking at them lightens my whole mood.

At the end of the day, I think axolotls show how diversity is what makes life beautiful. Instead of seeing differences as wrong, their story celebrates how each unique pattern or hue adds color to the world. And it reminds me that even in ordinary things, there are layers of wonder just waiting to be discovered if we open our eyes to new possibilities.

Their amazing journey from brown blobs to a literal rainbow proves the amazing things that selective care, creativity and passion can achieve. 

It inspires me to appreciate the special spark in every being, whether human or animal. So if these lil dudes have taught me anything, it’s to find magic in our individuality instead of thinking conformity is what really matters. That’s a lesson I’ll carry with me.