100 Fun Facts about Axolotls

Hold onto your hats, friends, as we plunge into the magical underwater world of the axolotl. This fascinating creature, with its fringed gills and wide grin, is a wonder of nature that looks more like a fantastical creature than an actual resident of our planet.

With its out-of-this-world ability to regenerate and its forever-young lifestyle, the axolotl is a testament to the miracles of nature. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of the axolotl, the Mexican walking fish that is a salamander in reality!

100 Interesting Facts about Axolotls

1. The axolotl is a type of salamander.
2. Axolotls are also known as ‘Mexican walking fish’ – but they aren’t fish.
3. They are native to Xochimilco, a system of lakes and canals near Mexico City.
4. Axolotls live their entire lives underwater.
5. Unlike most amphibians, axolotls do not undergo metamorphosis from a larval stage to an adult stage.
6. They retain their gills and fins, traits that other salamanders usually lose when they change from tadpole to adult.
7. Axolotls are famous for their regenerative abilities. They can regrow limbs, spinal cord, heart, and even parts of their brain.
8. They come in a variety of colors, including wild, dark, golden albino, leucistic (white with pink eyes), and more due to genetic mutations.
9. Axolotls have lidless eyes.
10. They have external gills which look like feathery branches on the side of their heads.
11. Axolotls are carnivores, eating a diet of worms, insects, small fish, and anything else they can fit in their mouth.
12. The word axolotl comes from Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Aztecs, and can be translated as “water monster.”
13. Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild, largely due to urbanization in Mexico City and water pollution.
14. They are relatively easy to breed and are often bred in captivity for research and the pet trade.
15. Wild axolotls are typically dark-colored to blend in with their murky environment.
16. They have the ability to heal without scarring.
17. Axolotls reach sexual maturity between 6 to 12 months of age.
18. They have a long lifespan compared to most amphibians, living up to 15 years in captivity.
19. They can grow quite large for a salamander, up to a foot in length, though most are closer to half that size.
20. Axolotls swallow their food whole, sucking it into their stomachs with a vacuum-force gulp.
21. Unlike most amphibians, axolotls can be quite social and are often kept in groups in captivity.
22. Their genome is 10 times the size of a human’s, making it one of the largest genomes known to science.
23. Axolotls have been sent into space! In 1998, axolotls were on a space shuttle mission to test the effects of weightlessness on development and regeneration.
24. Their eggs are laid on plants and take about two weeks to hatch.
25. Axolotls have been used in scientific research for over 150 years, and were first brought to Europe by naturalists in the 19th century.
26. Axolotls can ‘smile.’ This is due to the structure of their jaw and isn’t a reflection of their emotional state.
27. They can eat a variety of foods, including small pieces of liver and heart, strips of beef, and commercially prepared pellet food for carnivorous fish.
28. They can find their food in the dark using electrolocation.
29. The male axolotl deposits a packet of sperm, which the female picks up and uses to fertilize her eggs internally.
30. Each female can lay hundreds of eggs at a time.
31. Axolotls have been used in heart defect studies due to their heart-regenerating ability.
32. Axolotls are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature matches their environment.
33. Despite their cute appearance, they can be quite aggressive towards each other, especially during feeding time.
34. They are able to accept transplants from other individuals, including eyes and parts of the brain—restoring these alien organs to full functionality.
35. In the wild, axolotls are most active during twilight and at night.
36. They use their tube-like mouths to create a vacuum that sucks in their food.
37. Axolotls can recognize and show preference for certain individuals, both axolotl and human.
38. An axolotl can lose and regenerate the same limb up to five times.
39. They have a particular way of walking on the lakebed by alternating left and right limbs.
40. Despite their regenerative abilities, axolotls can still die from serious disease or injury.
41. Axolotls are poikilothermic animals, which means they are unable to regulate their body temperature.
42. They are excellent escape artists. If there’s a way out of the aquarium, they’ll probably find it.
43. A fully grown axolotl can have as many as 1,000 tiny teeth.
44. The axolotl’s critically endangered status in the wild is due to several factors including pollution, introduction of invasive species, and habitat loss.
45. Some axolotls suffer from a condition known as ‘floating syndrome,’ where they have trouble diving and remain on the surface of the water.
46. The species has a high resistance to cancer.
47. Axolotls can eat small gravel, which can impact their digestive system.
48. They have a special type of cell called a blastema that allows them to regrow body parts.
49. Axolotls do not have eyelids and do not produce tears.
50. They are an important animal in Mexican culture, featuring in myths and artwork.
51. Axolotls are relatively inactive and spend most of their time floating motionless in the water.
52. They can move their eyes independently from one another.
53. Axolotls can sense the electrical fields produced by other animals, helping them locate prey.
54. The Aztecs used to eat axolotls and use them in their medicines.
55. Axolotls have a wide head compared to their body, giving them a unique, cute appearance.
56. The creatures move through the water by making wave motions with their tails.
57. Axolotls have a mutualistic relationship with a species of heron in the wild. The heron eats the small fish that prey on the axolotl’s eggs, and in return, the axolotl does not bother the heron’s chicks.
58. Despite their gills, axolotls also have lungs and can breathe air, especially if the water they are in is low on oxygen.
59. They communicate with each other using chemical signals, or pheromones.
60. The sex of an axolotl can be difficult to determine until they reach maturity.
61. In the wild, axolotls have been observed to eat their own shed skin.
62. A group of axolotls is called a “harem” of axolotls.

62. Axolotls have a unique ability to regenerate not just limbs, but also their spinal cord and even parts of their heart.
63. In Mexican culture, axolotls are considered a symbol of healing and good luck.
64. They have an incredible sense of smell and can detect food from a considerable distance.
65. Axolotls have the ability to change their color depending on their mood and environment.
66. Axolotls are not only active swimmers but are also adept climbers, using their strong limbs to navigate various surfaces.
67. They possess a remarkable immune system that allows them to fight off infections and heal wounds quickly.
68. Axolotls have a lateral line system, which helps them detect movement and vibrations in the water.
69. Their teeth continuously grow throughout their lives to compensate for wear and tear.
70. Axolotls are known for their longevity, with some individuals living up to 20 years in captivity.
71. They have a unique respiratory system, using both their gills and lungs to breathe.
72. Axolotls have been used in scientific research to study the process of limb regeneration and tissue engineering.
73. The axolotl genome has been fully sequenced, providing valuable insights into the study of regeneration and developmental biology.
74. Despite being amphibians, axolotls are not suited for living on land and are entirely aquatic.
75. They have a keen sense of touch, with sensory cells located on their skin that can detect changes in water pressure.
76. Axolotls have a slow metabolism, allowing them to survive for extended periods without food.
77. They are highly adaptable to their surroundings, capable of thriving in various water conditions.
78. The axolotl’s fringed gills not only aid in respiration but also provide them with an exquisite appearance.
79. Axolotls have been successfully bred in captivity, contributing to their conservation efforts and scientific research.
80. They are excellent jumpers and can propel themselves out of the water to catch prey.
81. Axolotls have a lateral line system, which helps them detect movement and vibrations in the water.
82. Their limbs regrow with astonishing accuracy, recreating the bones, muscles, and nerves of the original limb.
83. Axolotls have a high tolerance for low oxygen levels, enabling them to survive in oxygen-depleted waters.
84. They are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.
85. Axolotls have been bred in a variety of colors through selective breeding, including albino, melanoid (black), and piebald patterns.
86. They are relatively low-maintenance pets, requiring a properly maintained aquarium with clean water and a suitable diet.
87. Axolotls have a strong homing instinct and can navigate back to their original habitat if relocated.
88. They have the ability to consume large amounts of food relative to their size, helping them grow rapidly.
89. Axolotls have a specialized gland on their head called the pineal gland, which helps regulate their circadian rhythm.
90. They possess a remarkable ability to regenerate not only their limbs but also damaged organs and tissues.
91. Axolotls have a strong preference for cooler water temperatures, ideally ranging between 60°F to 68°F (15°C to 20°C).
92. They exhibit neoteny, retaining their juvenile features and staying in a larval-like form throughout their lives.
93. Axolotls have a unique mating ritual that involves the male depositing a spermatophore on the substrate, which the female picks up with her cloaca.
94. They are highly skilled at camouflage, able to blend into their surroundings to avoid predators.
95. Axolotls have a slow growth rate, taking up to a year to reach sexual maturity.
96. They possess an extraordinary ability to metabolize thyroid hormones, which contributes to their ability to regenerate.
97. Axolotls are capable of making a variety of vocalizations, including clicks, chirps, and hisses.
98. They are ectothermic animals, relying on their environment to regulate their body temperature.
99. Axolotls are not only a fascinating species for scientific research but also serve as beloved and unique pets for enthusiasts around the world.

With their incredible regenerative abilities, unique appearances, and captivating behaviors, axolotls continue to amaze researchers, pet owners, and nature enthusiasts alike. Their remarkable characteristics make them a true marvel of the animal kingdom.