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

How many axolotls are left in the world in 2024? ›

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are a critically endangered species of salamander. The species has only one natural habitat remaining, a series of canals in Mexico City, and only 50-1000 axolotls are estimated to be left living there.

Whose is the narrator voice telling the story of axolotl? ›

The story is narrated by a first-person narrator, some part of whose consciousness or physical being is transformed into an axolotl. This creates considerable ambiguity, because the “I” and “me” of the narrator may at any point refer to the man before the transformation or to his axolotl-self who is telling the story.

What are some facts about axolotls life span? ›

Diet: Axolotls are the top predator in their natural habitat. They are carnivorous and will feed on a range of prey including, insects, worms, mollusks, fish and arthropods. Lifespan: In the wild, axolotls generally live 5-6 years but can reach 15 years in captivity.

What is the rarest axolotl in real life in 2024? ›

MACs are one of the rarest axolotls that can be selectively bred because they express three recessive traits simultaneously. They are melanoid axolotls, which means they completely lack all light reflecting skin pigmentation, called iridophores, and have a surplus of dark skin pigmentation!

Could axolotls go 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 the rarest axolotl? ›

Mosaic axolotls are one of the rarest morphs and are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors. The mosaic pattern is a mix of two or more different colors or patterns, creating a patchwork appearance.

Do axolotls have 5 fingers? ›

They have four toes on the front feet, five toes on the back feet and moveable eyelids. They are known for their blunt snouts and large mouths. Size: Adult Axolotls can reach about 12 inches (30 cm) in length from nose to the tip of the tail and can weigh as much as 10.5 ounces (300 gr).

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.

Is A axolotl Deaf? ›

Hearing sensitivity returned to control levels within 8 DPSE. This indicates that axolotls do possess the ability to recover hearing sensitivity after damage following acoustical trauma. This study is the first to document hearing loss in the axolotl.

Is My 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!

Is axolotl a siren? ›

Sirens and Necturus are other neotenic salamanders, although unlike axolotls, they cannot be induced to metamorphose by an injection of iodine or thyroxine hormone.

Can axolotls live for 100 years? ›

Axolotls can live 10-15 years in the wild, reaching sexual maturity after about a year. They reach up to 30 centimetres long and weigh around 50-200 grams.

What language is axolotl? ›

The word “axolotl” comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs, and means “water dog.” Its mythological connection is to Xolotl, the god of fire, lightning, deformities, and death. The Spanish word for axolotl is ajolote, but is used colloquially in Mexico to encompass all forms of salamander.

How many axolotls were there in 2014? ›

It's hard to know exactly how many axolotls are left in the wild there. Zambrano guesses that during his last survey, in 2014, there were fewer than 1,000 in total, and perhaps fewer than 500.

How many axolotls are left in total? ›

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, there are fewer than 100 adult axolotls left in the wild. The species is considered critically endangered. An axolotl swims around a tank at the Axolotl Museum and Amphibians Conservation Centre in Mexico City in February.

What is the 10 most endangered animals? ›

Here are the 10 of the world's most endangered animals in the wild.
  • Sunda Island tiger. ...
  • Mountain gorilla. ...
  • Tapanuli orangutan. ...
  • Yangtze finless porpoise. ...
  • Black rhino. ...
  • African forest elephant. ...
  • Sumatran orangutan. ...
  • Hawksbill turtle.
May 17, 2024

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