Axolotl - Encyclopedia of Life (2024)

2012 John P. Clarecc-by-nc-sa-3.0

Ambystoma mexicanum (Axolotl) is a species of amphibians in the family mole salamanders. They are listed as critically endangered by IUCN and in cites appendix ii. They are associated with freshwater habitat. They are found in The Neotropics and The Nearctic. They are solitary, nocturnal carnivores. They have sexual reproduction. They have parental care (female provides care). They rely on swimming to move around.

  • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/criticallyEndangered
  • Definition: A taxon is Critically Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets \r\nany of the criteria A to E for Critically Endangered, and it is therefore considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
  • Source: http://apiv3.iucnredlist.org/api/v3/taxonredirect/1095

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  • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/CITES_II
  • Definition: Appendix II lists species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may become so unless trade is closely controlled. It also includes so-called "look-alike species", i.e. species whose specimens in trade look like those of species listed for conservation reasons. International trade in specimens of Appendix-II species may be authorized by the granting of an export permit or re-export certificate. No import permit is necessary for these species under CITES (although a permit is needed in some countries that have taken stricter measures than CITES requires). Permits or certificates should only be granted if the relevant authorities are satisfied that certain conditions are met, above all that trade will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild. (See Article IV of the Convention)
  • Source: https://www.speciesplus.net/#/taxon_concepts/6110/legal

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  • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/solitary
  • Definition: Solitary animals are those that spend a majority of their lives without others of their species, with possible exceptions for mating and raising their young. Antonyms for a solitary animal include a social animal or a colonial animal.
  • Attribution: https://www.definitions.net/definition/solitary+animal

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  • URI: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GO_0019953
  • Definition: Capable of creating a new organism by combining the genetic material of two gametes, which may come from two parent organisms or from a single organism, in the case of self-fertilizing hermaphrodites.

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  • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/parentalCareFemale
  • Definition: the female feeds and nurtures offspring
  • Attribution: Richard M. Sibly, Christopher C. Witt, Natalie A. Wright, Chris Venditti, Walter Jetz, and James H. Brown. 2012. Energetics, lifestyle, and reproduction in birds. PNAS 109(27):10937-10941, doi:10.1073/pnas.1206512109

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EOL has data for 39 attributes, including:

  • Body symmetry

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/body_symmetry
    • Definition: overall repetitive or reflective pattern in the body of one individual of this taxon. eg: bilateral symmetry, rotational symmetry, radial symmetry

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    bilaterally symmetric

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  • biogeographic realm

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    The Neotropics

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  • body shape

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/BodyShape

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    bilaterally symmetric

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  • diet includes

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/Diet
    • Definition: Information about the items eaten by this organism.

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    worms

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  • egg diameter

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/EggDiameter
    • Definition: Diameter of the egg life stage of this organism. An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop. In most birds, reptiles, insects, molluscs, fish, and monotremes, it is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum, which is expelled from the body and permitted to develop outside the body until the developing embryo can survive on its own.
    • Attribution: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egg_(biology)

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    30 cm

  • geographic distribution includes

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/Present
    • Definition: This organism is known to be present in this location or region. Not exclusive; other regions may also be reported.

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    Mexico

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  • mating system

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/MatingSystem

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    promiscuous

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  • population trend

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/population_trend
    • Definition: i.e., increasing, decreasing, stable, or unknown

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    Decreasing

  • prenatal development duration

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/PrenatalDevelopmentDuration
    • Definition: The duration of the development from fertilized, deposited or implanted egg to hatching/birth. Corresponds to egg incubation duration in oviparous animals and to gestation period duration in viviparous animals.

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    18 days

  • reproduction

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    sexual reproduction

    • URI: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GO_0019953
    • Definition: Capable of creating a new organism by combining the genetic material of two gametes, which may come from two parent organisms or from a single organism, in the case of self-fertilizing hermaphrodites.

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  • social system

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/SocialSystem
    • Definition: Description of the relationships among individuals within a population of organisms, including reproductive relationships (mating system), relationships within each sex, adult – young interactions, helpers and cooperation (group living).

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    solitary

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/solitary
    • Definition: Solitary animals are those that spend a majority of their lives without others of their species, with possible exceptions for mating and raising their young. Antonyms for a solitary animal include a social animal or a colonial animal.
    • Attribution: https://www.definitions.net/definition/solitary+animal

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  • trophic guild

    • URI: http://eol.org/schema/terms/TrophicGuild
    • Definition: A group of species that exploit the same food resources, and/or use the same feeding or foraging methods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guild_(ecology)

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    insectivore

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Known occurrences, collected specimens and observations of Axolotl. View this species on GBIF

2012 John P. Clarecc-by-nc-sa-3.0
Axolotl
-
Encyclopedia of Life (2024)

FAQs

What is the encyclopedia of axolotls? ›

Ambystoma mexicanum (Axolotl) is a species of amphibians in the family mole salamanders. They are listed as critically endangered by IUCN and in cites appendix ii. They are associated with freshwater habitat. They are found in The Neotropics and The Nearctic.

Who saw the first axolotl? ›

When the Aztecs settled the Valley of Mexico around what is now Mexico City in the 13th century, they found a large salamander living in the lake surrounding the island where they built their capital, Tenochtitlán. They called the salamander "axolotl" after Xolotl, their god of fire and lightning.

How long has the axolotl been alive? ›

Descended from the tiger salamander, the axolotl is “young", having inhabited central Mexico for only about the last 10,000 years, according to some experts. Indigenous to these two spring-fed lakes along the southern edge of the Basin of Mexico, much of its suitable habitat has been drained.

What is the rarest axolotl? ›

Conclusion. Mosaic and hypomelanistic axolotls are among the rarest and most sought-after morphs in the axolotl community. Their unique appearance and genetic traits make them highly desirable for enthusiasts and pet owners alike!

How many axolotl is left? ›

The Axolotl is a species scientists are apprehensive about going extinct soon; they estimate that there are only about 50 to 1,000 left in the wild. That number is greatly decreasing and is too fast for humans to be sure that they can help stabilize their numbers.

Can axolotls smile? ›

Though they keep their gills, adult axolotls also have functional lungs and can breathe through their skin. And as if being forever-babies didn't make them cute enough, their mouths are upturned in a permanent Mona Lisa smile. Those sweet little smiles can quickly turn into vacuum cleaners when it's time to eat.

Do axolotls have 5 fingers? ›

Their name stems from an Aztec word meaning water dog or water monster. Axolotls have cylindrical bodies, short legs, a relatively long tail and feathery external gills. They have four toes on the front feet, five toes on the back feet and moveable eyelids.

Why is my axolotl turning white? ›

Axolotls may lose pigmentation when resting and become either lighter or darker depending on the color of their environment. Under different circ*mstances, it can be seen as a sign of potential stress or blood loss if seriously injured.

Is A axolotl A Boy or a girl? ›

Both males and female axolotls have a cloaca (genital area), but the cloacae of male axolotls are larger than those of females. Look just behind your axolotl's back legs, under its tale. If there is a definite, rounded bulge, your axolotl is a male!

Can axolotl change to salamander? ›

The tiger salamander and axolotl are related, but the axolotl never metamorphosizes into a terrestrial salamander. However, it's possible to force an axolotl to undergo metamorphosis. This animal looks like a tiger salamander, but the metamorphosis is unnatural and shortens the animals lifespan.

Will axolotl go extinct? ›

Are axolotls endangered? The IUCN red list classifies the axolotl as 'critically endangered', which means their numbers are becoming smaller and smaller.

What year will axolotls go extinct? ›

CONSERVATION STATUS

Axolotls neared extinction by 2020 due to their natural habitat being destroyed, pollution to the water, and the presence of tilapia and perch, which feed on the eggs and young of the axolotl.

Why is axolotl going extinct? ›

The leading causes of Axolotl decline are human development, waste water disposal, and loss of habitat due to droughts. Despite their prevalence in the aquarium trade, these species are critically endangered in the wild.

What is a fact sheet of axolotls? ›

The axolotl is a type of salamander. It has a long tail, flat head, and four lizard-like limbs, which it uses to move around the lake floor. But unlike other salamanders, axolotls are neotenic, meaning they keep juvenile characteristics into adulthood. The axolotl remains aquatic, like larvae, their entire life.

What is the history of the axolotl? ›

What is an axolotl? As legend has it, the axolotl is the Aztec god of fire and lightning, Xolotl, which disguised himself as a salamander to avoid being sacrificed. But these Mexican amphibians are impressive enough on their own, with the ability to regenerate lost limbs and stay “young” throughout their lives.

Could axolotls go extinct? ›

What is clear is that, until significant efforts are made to safeguard axolotl numbers in their natural habitat, the species faces a very real and imminent threat of disappearing.

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