By Nadia Rivas
Mostly found smiling, the amphibians named axolotls are native to Mexico, specifically Lake Xochmillio and Chalco. These aquatic gilled animals are a type of salamander that vary from colors brown to pink. These amphibians are having a moment, according to many news outlets they are becoming designer animals with some bred modified protein which makes them glow under fluorescent light. They are found super fascinating due to their ability to regenerate limbs quickly, resistance to cancer and they keep their juvenile characteristics until adulthood (a condition called neotony). Although they are easily available as pets they are critically endangered due to pollution, habit degradation, and water diversion from the human population. Only 50 to 1000 are left in the wild as the population is fragmented severely and continues to decrease. When exotic animals become popular many fail to research and look into what it takes to properly care for them. Axolotls have specific diets and get quite large as they’re aquatic animals that require large aquariums and biological filtration to thrive. Their comfortable temperature needs to be colder than most typical aquariums. Failure to meet any of these needs can result in serious health effects for axolotls. Since these animals can lay up to 1,000 eggs overpopulation can occur. In Mexico City, an Axolotl museum can be found that spotlight these endangered species and is vital in their preservation of the species. Although cute and happy-looking, these animals are on the verge of extinction.