Axolotls
Axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum, are aquatic, neotenic salamanders that are a close relative of the tiger salamander and are often referred to as Mexican salamanders or Mexican walking fish (Clare, 1999). They are exclusively found in the lake complex of Xochimilco near Mexico City. Axolotls are small amphibians that only grow nine to 12 inches in length and 2.11 to eight ounces in weight; relatively, they are about the size of a tea cup (“Mexican Axolotl,” 2015). Though they can be captured and cared for as exotic pets, Mexican Salamanders are gradually becoming extinct and are considered “critically endangered” according to the IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Red List of Threatened Species (Zambrano, 2010). Axolotls …show more content…
The amount of food axolotls eat will vary depending on the age of the axolotl and its size, but they will generally eat at least once a day or depending on their needs and preferences (“Axolotl Feeding,” 2011).
Mouth Anatomy
Since axolotls are carnivores, they have a relatively typical carnivore anatomy apart from their teeth. Ambystoma, the first half of the scientific name, means “cup-mouth,” referring to an axolotl’s large, wide mouth that can easily surround its food (Clare, 1999). Mexican salamanders can eat food almost the size of themselves as long as it easily fits inside of their mouths (“Axolotl Feeding,” 2011). Moreover, Axolotls’ teeth are made with a groove-like structure, so rather than biting or tearing, they swallow their food whole (Clare, 1999).
Feeding
Axolotls tend to eat live creatures such as worms, insects, crustaceans, and small fishes which are all a reliable source of protein and vitamins (“Feeding Axolotls,” 2008). Water-based live food is abundant and easily accessible, but it often carries diseases that can harm the Mexican salamanders (Clare, 1999). Axolotls are the most active in dim light and are more willing to eat at evening or night. If they begin a habit of eating during the day or in bright light, the salamanders may eat drastically less than usual and become weak. To avoid cannibalism and any signs of larval axolotls turning against each other, they should …show more content…
Similar to other neotenic species, axolotls live in a high altitude body of water surrounded by a terrestrial environment. They also prefer the water temperature to be around 68 degrees Fahrenheit or below (“All About Axolotls,” 2011) because warmer temperatures can result in various diseases. Axolotls are only native to the Xochimilco lake complex in Mexico, which was once comprised of two lakes, Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco, but Lake Chalco is no longer in existence (“Mexican Axolotl,” 2015). Tiger salamanders, a close relative of the Mexican salamander, occupy a large portion of Lake Xochimilco, which is an effect of the decreasing axolotl population. Due to the destruction of axolotls’ native habitat, they are being rehabilitated to lab centers and conservation areas to help maintain the population and continue breeding (Zambrano,
Axolotls, Ambystoma mexicanum, are aquatic, neotenic salamanders that are a close relative of the tiger salamander and are often referred to as Mexican salamanders or Mexican walking fish (Clare, 1999). They are exclusively found in the lake complex of Xochimilco near Mexico City. Axolotls are small amphibians that only grow nine to 12 inches in length and 2.11 to eight ounces in weight; relatively, they are about the size of a tea cup (“Mexican Axolotl,” 2015). Though they can be captured and cared for as exotic pets, Mexican Salamanders are gradually becoming extinct and are considered “critically endangered” according to the IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Red List of Threatened Species (Zambrano, 2010). Axolotls …show more content…
The amount of food axolotls eat will vary depending on the age of the axolotl and its size, but they will generally eat at least once a day or depending on their needs and preferences (“Axolotl Feeding,” 2011).
Mouth Anatomy
Since axolotls are carnivores, they have a relatively typical carnivore anatomy apart from their teeth. Ambystoma, the first half of the scientific name, means “cup-mouth,” referring to an axolotl’s large, wide mouth that can easily surround its food (Clare, 1999). Mexican salamanders can eat food almost the size of themselves as long as it easily fits inside of their mouths (“Axolotl Feeding,” 2011). Moreover, Axolotls’ teeth are made with a groove-like structure, so rather than biting or tearing, they swallow their food whole (Clare, 1999).
Feeding
Axolotls tend to eat live creatures such as worms, insects, crustaceans, and small fishes which are all a reliable source of protein and vitamins (“Feeding Axolotls,” 2008). Water-based live food is abundant and easily accessible, but it often carries diseases that can harm the Mexican salamanders (Clare, 1999). Axolotls are the most active in dim light and are more willing to eat at evening or night. If they begin a habit of eating during the day or in bright light, the salamanders may eat drastically less than usual and become weak. To avoid cannibalism and any signs of larval axolotls turning against each other, they should …show more content…
Similar to other neotenic species, axolotls live in a high altitude body of water surrounded by a terrestrial environment. They also prefer the water temperature to be around 68 degrees Fahrenheit or below (“All About Axolotls,” 2011) because warmer temperatures can result in various diseases. Axolotls are only native to the Xochimilco lake complex in Mexico, which was once comprised of two lakes, Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco, but Lake Chalco is no longer in existence (“Mexican Axolotl,” 2015). Tiger salamanders, a close relative of the Mexican salamander, occupy a large portion of Lake Xochimilco, which is an effect of the decreasing axolotl population. Due to the destruction of axolotls’ native habitat, they are being rehabilitated to lab centers and conservation areas to help maintain the population and continue breeding (Zambrano,