Axolotl: The Adorable Deadpool of Vertebrates

Axolotl. You’ve probably seen a picture of this cute, meme-worthy animal, but what do you really know about this captivating animal? Do you know the one place on earth where they're natively found? Do you know how few are left in the wild and what hinders conservation efforts?  Why some consider them the fruit flies of amphibians? Or, perhaps the most important question, why are they so darn cute?

The axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, is  a close relative to the tiger salamander. Native to one small region of Mexico, Axolotls are weird even among amphibians due to the fact that instead of living on the land in their adult form, they  remain aquatic and retain their juvenile characteristics, such as their gills, throughout their life. This natural phenomenon is called neoteny. What was once an evolutionary advantage before human interference, axolotl neoteny  allows them to regenerate not only limbs, but their organs and even parts of their brain; an ability that is not possible for most vertebrates. It also makes them rather photogenic and a popular pet.

Axolotl are an important animal in both the wild and in scientist’s laboratories for medical research.  Though they are common in captivity, it is imperative we save wild axolotl from extinction. Listen now to learn more about this fascinating creature. 

In the News:
#WrongAsian If you're going to post a photo of someone, make sure it is the right person. 
And, sadly, there are only approximately 10 vaquita porpoises left in the wild. 

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