AnimaLPHABET - [A]xolotl

Hello steemians!

Today is DAY #1 of AnimaLPHABET * insert crowd cheers :D * a series I came up with to feature some of the world's most interesting creatures. So basically, everyday I will be posting a different animal that starts with every letter in the alphabet. Since today is day 1, we'll be starting with the letter A.

For today we have the Axolotl(Ambystoma mexicanum) also known as the Mexican Salamander, is quite the interesting amphibian. First off, the Axolotl is a neotenous salamander which, unlike other amphibians that can live on land and undergo metamorphosis, these guys live on water and keep their larval features all through out their life. This means that a fully adult Axolotl will still have underdeveloped limbs, external gills, lidless eyes and a wide head.

The Life Cycle

1. Like other amphibians, Axolotls start off as eggs.
2. Upon hatching, a 11 mm embryo emerges.
3. A tadpole like creature starts to take shape. This is prior to the growth of limbs.
4. At this stage, the front legs of an Axolotl takes shape.
5. Lastly, the back leg forms and there you have a fully grown Axolotl :D

The average size of an Axolotl is roughly around 23-25 cm (9-10 in) but there have been accounts of sizes up to 30-43 cm (12-17 in). Sexual maturity is achieved at around 18-24 months depending on how well they are fed and temperature they are kept in.

The Diet
Although lacking in teeth due to neoteny, Axolotls are carnivorous creatures. Their diet consists of trout, bloodworms, wax worms, earth worms and feeder fish. Although they have adapted to eating salmon pellets and other forms of fish pellets.

The Home
Axolotls were first spotted in Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco, both in central Mexico. Unfortunately to prevent flooding, Lake Chalco has been artificially drained and only a handful of canals remain. As for Lake Xochimilco recent urbanization has lead to the decline of population for our cute little friend.

The Facts

• Axolotls come in different colors they can be black, molted brown, albino (without pigmentation) or white.
• One unique capability of Axolotls is it's regeneration. It is known to be able to regenerate missing limbs, kidneys, lungs and even its heart.
• Some Axolotls eat other Axolotls when smaller in size.
• They are declared as critically endangered in the wild by IUCN.
• Axolotls were a staple food of the Aztec diet.
• A pokemon was based off an Axolotl. (Debatable. hahaha)

Disclaimer: The facts about the creature featured were not my original works but rather a compilation and simplification of said facts from different articles read on the internet. Cited below are the sources that I used.

Sources:
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