We all know about lizard-like salamanders, but the Axolotl salamander is nothing like the creatures we know. Although it spends its life in water, this creature, which has feet, spends its entire life like a larva. Let’s take a closer look at the extraordinary information about the axolotl salamander.
Living things that spend their lives in water move with their fins. Creatures living both on land and in water stand up after the larval stage and walk beautifully. axolotl The salamander, on the other hand, does not fit either of these definitions. The axolotl salamander looks like a larva even in its adulthood and larval features. For this reason, many people prefer to describe this salamander as a walking fish.
axolotl not a fish, but a salamander. Although it does not resemble any salamander species we know, its basic features cause us to evaluate it in this class. Unfortunately, the number of this creature, which can only live in and around a single lake in the world, is decreasing day by day. Bride Let’s look at the unusual features of the axolotl salamander and let’s get to know this interesting creature a little more closely.
What is an axolotl?
The axolotl is a type of salamander with a unique genetic makeup. It is of the amphibian class, Commonly known as Axolotls, scientists call it Ambystoma mexicanum and are carnivorous. The most striking feature is that it has larval characteristics throughout its life due to a condition called neoteny.
The larval feature means that the Axolotl salamander has a tadpole-like dorsal fin and a dorsal fin located behind its broad head. have hairy external gills means. In other words, although it belongs to the amphibian class that lives both on land and in water, it continues its life under water like a larva due to its neoteny condition.
Where does the axolotl live?
The axolotl salamander is found only and only near Mexico’s capital, Mexico City. It lives in a lake called Xochimilco. This creature has also been found in some water channels close to the lake. The altitude of the region is high and even in winter the temperature of the water is around 20 degrees.
Different features of the axolotl from other salamanders:
The fact that the axolotl salamander lives only in a lake called Xochimilco near Mexico’s capital city, Mexico City, is undoubtedly one of its distinctive features. However, the feature that makes the Axolotl salamander unique is that it is different from other salamanders. spends almost his entire life underwater that is.
The axolotl salamander is much larger than other salamander species. Its length is 15 – 25 cm, weight is between 50 – 250 grams. It is much larger and lives much longer than other salamanders, with an average lifespan of 10-15 years. Its color generally consists of black spots on brown, but it has also been seen that those trapped in the aquarium are albino and white.
What does the axolotl eat?
The axolotl salamander is carnivorous. Worms, insects, crustaceans, mollusks and small fish It has a rich diet. It is at the top of the food chain in its area. This is one of the reasons why he can live so comfortably in this region. However, the situation is changing rapidly.
Axolotl salamanders are disappearing fast:
At the top of the food chain in the axolotl salamander region Due to the fact that sea bass, tilapia and heron birds flock to the region for different reasons. came to hunting position. Axolotl salamanders have become delicious prey because of the increasing number of predatory species. But this is not the biggest reason for the extinction of the Axolotl.
We, humans, are the reason the axolotl salamander went extinct. Lake Xochimilco is getting increasingly polluted. Even if the axolotl itself is not able to live in this lake, the living things that it feeds on are no longer able to live in this lake, so its natural habitat system is deteriorating. It is also a visible fact that the Xochimilco lake, which is a large complex, is getting smaller and smaller due to global climate change.
Of course, humanity’s cruelty to this creature does not end. The axolotl salamander is a popular aquarium creature. It is hunted and fished and sold to be kept in an aquarium. As if that’s not enough, the fried Axolotl salamander according to the traditions of Mexico is also considered a valuable prey, as it is considered a grand gesture.
In a study conducted in Xochimilco lake in 1998 by Mexican biologist Luis Zambran, it was determined that there are 6,000 Axolotl salamanders per square kilometer. If today there are only 35 per square kilometer and this number is decreasing. It is thought that many more Axolotl salamanders are confined to aquariums and similar areas than are found in their natural habitat.
The axolotl salamander was also known in ancient civilizations, even mentioned in mythology:
Most of the stories in Mexican mythology It talks about Aztec and Maya civilizations. Such a unique creature, of course, takes its place in mythology. Legend has it that an Aztec god, while fleeing from sacrifice, disguised himself into Lake Xochimilco, and thus the Axolotl salamander was born. How they thought of frying and eating the creature they thought was an ancient god is unknown.
Interesting creature resembling a walking fish We talked about unusual information about the axolotl salamander. and we told how this creature disappeared day by day. It is hard not to wonder when we will realize that it is more important to observe such creatures in their natural environment instead of imprisoning them.