Axolotl: The amphibian that refuses to grow up! 

Amphibians (frogs for example) are not creatures that people have a fascination for. However, the best thing about them is that they can operate on both land and water, that too quite easily. Well, there some of them who come with surprisingly striking features. One such amphibian is axolotl (to be pronounced as: ack-suh-lah-tuhl)?. You might know them by their popular nickname Mexican Walking Fish. The name is based on the fact that this particular animal is native to the wetlands and elevated lakes of Mexico. Eager to know more about their strange abilities? Well then, keep reading! 

Fish or an amphibian? 
First things first. Axolotl is a type of critically endangered (almost extinct in the wild as of 2020) salamander that is only found in the waters of Mexico, primarily Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco. Assuming you don’t know what a salamander is, it is a long, slender and chiefly terrestrial amphibian, often superficially resembling a lizard.  

So, if it’s an amphibian, why is it called the Mexican Walking Fish? Well, for the Mexican part, it’s because of where it is found. However, the rest of it is a misnomer. Experts suggest that axolotl is often mistaken as a fish because, it mostly lives in the water, unlike most salamanders.  

Baby forever 
Wait, what? Yes, that’s correct, axolotl chooses to stay a baby forever. This simply means that they have the rare ability to remain in their larval state for their entire lives. So, unlike most amphibians that mature and leave the comforts of water to live on dry land and explore it at large, most axolotls prefer to stay infants all their life. However, some axolotls do grow up and leave water, but without undergoing metamorphosis unlike most amphibians. This is when they are no longer called Mexican Walking Fish but Mexican salamander. A fun fact is that since axolotls stay babies, they are often preferred as pets. 

A smiling water monster! 
The name ‘axolotl’ is derived from an Aztec (native Mexican tribe) deity Xolotl, which means “water dog” or “water monster.” Apart from having a long body (a foot), it has a defined tail and short legs. However, what’s unusual is that, it has four toes on the front feet and five on the hind feet. This is not all when it comes to the uniqueness of axolotls. They also have a wide mouth alongside external gills making them look like they are permanently smiling.  
 
Aggressive towards its own kind 
Axolotls are nocturnal animals that allow them to not only make them top predators in their own habitats (they feed on worms, tadpoles, insects, tiny fishes), but also aggressive towards one another, especially on land. In fact, when they attack, they even end up biting off each other’s gills, feet and tails. What’s more interesting is that, they can afford to do so as they can regenerate their body parts, including regrowth of essential organs like the heart.