Meet the Axolotl
Come see the "Mexican water fish" in the BioPark's "Life on a Limb" exhibit.
The axolotl is a curious salamander species native to the Mexico City area. You can see this unique critter in the Zoo's "Life on a Limb" exhibit.
Fast facts:
- Axolotls are used in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate limbs. They can regenerate lost appendages (and sometimes organs) in just months.
- The species is critically endangered due to water pollution and invasive species like tilapia and perch.
- Axolotls were once a staple of the Aztec diet.
- These amphibians reach adulthood without undergoing metamorphosis. Instead of developing lungs and becoming terrestrial animals, they retain their gills and stay in the water.
