Where Axolotls Live and Why They Look So Remarkably Strange

The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) has fascinated humans for centuries—not only because of its unusual appearance, but also because of the mythology, biology, and scientific promise surrounding it.
According to Aztec legend, the god Xolotl transformed himself into the first axolotl to escape capture, hiding in the ancient lake system where Mexico City now stands.

Today, this extraordinary amphibian continues to captivate the world, not as a mythical creature, but as one of the most unique species in evolutionary biology and conservation science.

The axolotl, a threatened species, is known as a "walking fish" but is actually an amphibian. Given that picture, you can see why they're so popular in the pet trade, too. 

Where Do Axolotls Live?

Axolotls are fully aquatic salamanders native to Lake Xochimilco, a shrinking wetland ecosystem located in southern Mexico City. While they were once abundant in the lakes and canals of the Valley of Mexico, Xochimilco is now the last place where truly wild axolotls remain.

Although sometimes called “Mexican walking fish,” axolotls aren’t fish at all—they are amphibians that never leave the water and retain larval traits throughout their entire lives.

What Do Axolotls Look Like?

Wild axolotls typically exhibit dark brown or black coloring with speckles, helping them blend into muddy lake bottoms.
However, captive axolotls often appear in:

• leucistic (pale pink with black eyes)

• albino

• golden

• melanoid (solid black)

These colors exist due to selective breeding in aquariums and laboratories.

Permanent Juvenile Traits (Neoteny)

Axolotls keep features that most amphibians lose after metamorphosis:

• Feathery external gills that branch like delicate coral

• A wide, rounded head with a “smiling” appearance

• Soft, translucent skin

• Webbed feet designed for underwater movement

• A long, finned tail for efficient swimming

Because they never transition into a terrestrial adult salamander, they move through the water like a large tadpole rather than a walking amphibian.

Why Do Axolotls Stay in Their Juvenile Form?

Scientists believe axolotls evolved neoteny because they developed in an environment that was stable year-round. Unlike other salamanders that must metamorphose to survive dry seasons, axolotls lived in:

• permanent, cool water

• habitats with few aquatic predators

• nutrient-rich wetlands

With no ecological need to change form, evolution favored individuals that remained juvenile, conserving energy and thriving underwater.

Life Cycle and Reproduction

A wild axolotl typically lives 5–6 years, while a well-kept captive axolotl may live up to 15 years.

Breeding Behavior

• Sexual maturity is reached at about one year old.

• Males locate females using pheromones.

• Courtship includes a tail-shaking dance.

• Females deposit hundreds of eggs on plants and rocks.

• There is no parental care whatsoever.

Newly hatched larvae must hunt microscopic prey immediately, and it’s not uncommon for them to nibble on siblings—regeneration ensures such injuries are temporary.

An axolotl, such as this speckled leucistic axolotl, can live very happily in captivity for as long as 15 years, but for only about five or six years in the wild. 

Axolotls as Underwater Predators

Despite their gentle appearance, axolotls are stealthy carnivores.

Wild Diet

• worms

• insect larvae

• mollusks

• small fish

• crustaceans

Their suction-feeding method allows them to quickly draw prey into the mouth. Because they never leave the water, gills remain their primary oxygen source, although lungs also function if needed.

Regeneration: One of Nature’s Greatest Marvels

Axolotls are legendary for their regenerative ability, which extends far beyond simple tail regrowth.

They can regenerate:

• limbs

• spinal cord

• heart tissue

• parts of the brain

• eyes

• nerves and cartilage

They do so without scarring, a trait unmatched in vertebrates.

Why Scientists Study Them

Axolotls are crucial for research in:

• stem cells

• developmental biology

• scar-free wound healing

• organ regeneration

Researchers hope these mechanisms may one day be applied to human medicine.
Axolotls became one of the earliest and most important laboratory animals in Europe, with self-sustaining colonies established as early as the 19th century.

Threats Facing Wild Axolotls

Despite their regenerative “superpowers,” wild axolotls cannot withstand modern environmental pressures.

Major Threats

• Pollution from Mexico City’s wastewater

• Invasive species (tilapia, carp) that eat eggs and compete for food

• Urban expansion destroying wetlands

• Agricultural runoff

• Habitat fragmentation

Lake Xochimilco is now only a fraction of its original size, and water quality continues to decline.

As a result, axolotls are classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the IUCN.

Conservation Efforts

Mexican conservationists, biologists, and local communities are implementing multiple strategies to save the species.

Key Conservation Actions

• Restoring canals with aquatic plants

• Building chinampas (traditional floating gardens) to filter water

• Controlling invasive fish species

• Creating refuges where axolotls can breed safely

• Running captive breeding programs

• Engaging ecotourism to fund conservation

Centuries ago, Aztec chinampa agriculture created ideal conditions for axolotls. Now, modern conservationists are reviving the ancient technique to rebuild habitat stability.

Captive Axolotl Populations

While wild numbers are collapsing, captive axolotl populations are thriving.
They are among the most widely bred amphibians on the planet, with millions living in laboratories and homes.

Important Notes for Pet Owners

• Some regions ban axolotls as pets—check local laws.

• They need a fully aquatic tank: at least 15–20 gallons.

• Never handle them; their skin is delicate.

• Never house them with fish or other axolotls—fights are common.

• Cool, clean water and a low-flow environment are essential.

Captive axolotls are relatively hardy, but responsible owners must remember that this is a critically endangered species, and ethical care is essential.

A Final Fascinating Fact

The axolotl genome is one of the largest ever sequenced—second only to that of the lungfish.
Its immense genetic complexity may hold answers to some of biology’s greatest mysteries.

animal tags： Axolotls

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a Animals Top editor.