Rare Animals You Probably Haven’t Heard Of, Pt.2 — Axolotl
3 sentence fact-file
The scientific name for axolotls, which are amphipians, is ambystoma mexicanum. They are all carnivores and live for 10–15 years, reaching up to 12 inches long during that time as well as accumulating a weight of between 2.1–8 ounces. The IUCN has listed their species as critically endangered with an estimate of <1000 left in the wild.
Under Threat
Accustomed to being a top predator in its habitat, this species has begun to suffer from the introduction of invasive large fish species into its lake habitat. Natural threats include predatory birds such as herons which increases the rate of their population decline.
Populations are in decline as the demands of nearby Mexico City have led to the draining and contamination of much of the waters of the Xochimilco Lake complex (which is the only place they are believed to live in the wild). They are also popular in the aquarium trade, and roasted axolotl is considered a delicacy in Mexico, further shrinking their numbers. All these factors combine resulting in them being considered a critically endangered species.
With thanks to unseenwonders on TikTok, National Geographic, Bell Museum, IUCN, and Bluereef Aquarium Portsmouth for some of the data mentioned.
