![]() The primary method of feeding is by suction, during which their rakers interlock to close the gill slits. Axolotls have barely visible vestigial teeth which would have developed during metamorphosis. Four gill slits lined with gill rakers are hidden underneath the external gills. The external gill rami are lined with filaments (fimbriae) to increase surface area for gas exchange. Three pairs of external gill stalks (rami) originate behind their heads and are used to move oxygenated water. Males are identified by their swollen cloacas lined with papillae, while females are noticeable for their wider bodies full of eggs. Their limbs are underdeveloped and possess long, thin digits. Their heads are wide, and their eyes are lidless. Axolotls possess features typical of salamander larvae, including external gills and a caudal fin extending from behind the head to the vent. They are commonly kept as pets in the United States, Great Britain (under the spelling Axlotl), Australia, Japan (where they are sold under the name Wooper Rooper ( ウーパールーパー, Ūpā Rūpā ?)), and other countries.Īxolotls should not be confused with waterdogs, the larval stage of the closely related Tiger Salamanders ( Ambystoma tigrinum and Ambystoma mavortium), which is widespread in much of North America which also occasionally become neotenic, nor with mudpuppies ( Necturus spp.), fully aquatic salamanders which are unrelated to the axolotl but which bear a superficial resemblance.Ī sexually-mature adult axolotl, at age 18–24 months, ranges in length from 15–45 cm (6–18 inches), although a size close to 23 cm (9 inches) is most common and greater than 30 cm (12 inches) is rare. Axolotls are used extensively in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate most body parts, ease of breeding, and large embryos. The species originates from the lake underlying Mexico City. ![]() Larvae of this species fail to undergo metamorphosis, so the adults remain aquatic and gilled. The Axolotl (or ajolote) ( Ambystoma mexicanum) is the best-known of the Mexican neotenic mole salamanders belonging to the Tiger Salamander complex. ![]()
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