{"id":54785,"date":"2021-03-25T13:53:30","date_gmt":"2021-03-25T18:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/?p=54785"},"modified":"2025-05-20T16:18:45","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T21:18:45","slug":"basic-information-sheet-axolotl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/vet\/basic-information-sheet-axolotl\/","title":{"rendered":"Basic Information Sheet: Axolotl"},"content":{"rendered":"

Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum<\/em>)<\/h1>\n

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Natural history<\/h2>\n

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\nNative to Lake Xochimilco, its canal systems, and a few neighboring waterways of Mexico City, the axolotl is a neotenic amphibian species closely related to the tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum<\/em>). Unlike its relative, the axolotl rarely matures to a terrestrial-adapted animal, instead maintaining many of its larval attributes into adulthood, such as external gills and a paddle-like fin lining the dorsum and tail.<\/p>\n

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Conservation status<\/h2>\n

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Growth and development of Mexico City has led to a diminishing ecosystem suitable for this species to thrive. Coupled with its appearance in the pet trade and local cuisine, this species has been listed as critically endangered. The majority of specimens found in the pet trade are considered to be captive-raised stock as this species settles well in captivity and is known to breed successfully when given appropriate conditions.<\/p>\n

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Taxonomy<\/h2>\n

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\nClass<\/strong>: Amphibia <\/em><\/p>\n

Order<\/strong>: Caudata<\/em><\/p>\n

Family<\/strong>: Ambystomatidae (salamanders)<\/p>\n

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Pronunciation<\/h2>\n

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\nJust in case you were wondering…<\/p>\n