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The ‘Smiling’ Axolotl Is the Cutest Amphibian Ever!

The axolotl is one of the most fascinating creatures around — but it’s in danger of being extinct.

89 Comments

The axolotl is a very interesting animal that’s native to Mexico. Its habitat has been identified as Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City.

The animal’s unique look alone stops people in their tracks. As a matter of fact, it’s been tagged as the “Mexican Walking Fish” despite the fact that it is not actually a fish but an amphibian.

The axolotl can grow from 6 to 18 inches.

Source: Super Sea Monkey (YouTube video screengrab)

Indeed, the axolotl — to be specific — is a salamander. They easily get people’s attention because they look like they’re smiling all the time.

These axolotls are distinct from other amphibians because they do not go through metamorphosis in order to be sexually mature.

A female salamander can lay as many as 1,000 eggs.

Source: th1098 (Wikimedia Commons)

Moreover, axolotls don’t develop lungs. Their gills are prominent and they remain aquatic. This is the reason why so many people initially assume that they’re a kind of fish.

Those branch-like extensions are its gills.

Source: ©D.A. Haynes (via Daily Mail)

Likewise, axolotls have the awesome ability to regenerate. Studies show that aside from being able to regenerate their limbs, the creature is also able to regenerate its jaw, spine, and brain.


In a Scientific American feature, Professor Stephane Roy of University of Montreal was quoted as saying:

“You can cut the spinal cord, crush it, remove a segment, and it will regenerate. You can cut the limbs at any level—the wrist, the elbow, the upper arm — and it will regenerate, and it’s perfect. There is nothing missing, there’s no scarring on the skin at the site of amputation, every tissue is replaced. They can regenerate the same limb 50, 60, 100 times. And every time: perfect.”

Move over, Wolverine! It has regenerating powers, too.

Source: Animals Adda (photo) and Julia Moore (infographic)

Aside from their awesome abilities, they have their unique look as an advantage.

As Axolotl.org explains:

“Axolotls of various colors occur in captivity, including gray, shades of brown, leucistic (white with black eyes), golden albino, white albino, as well as other varieties.”

Meanwhile, axolotls that live in the wild are nearly black, rich brown, cream-colored, or any shade in between.

Their colors vary, but the smile is the same.

Source: Seraph Sun (golden) and Brian Gratwicke via Flickr (dark)

Among the axolotl variants, it is, perhaps, the leucistic type that has gotten the most attention because it looks so quirky. Because of its color, its “smile” stands out.

A testimony to the creature’s cuteness is the fact that there’s a Pokemon character modeled after it — the Mudkip.

Cuteness validated: It's now immortalized in pop culture.

Source: The Pokémon Company and National Geographic via Dorkly

Unfortunately, the axolotl has been classified as a critically-endangered animal.

Environmental groups report that the number of axolotls has decreased alarmingly due to land drainage and the growth of Mexico City. Moreover, some locals still view axolotls as a delicacy. In other words, it doesn’t matter how many eggs the females can produce. The current environmental challenges are just not conducive enough for all her offspring to survive.

It would be a shame if this creature disappears forever.

Source: Izismile

For now, the hope for the axolotls’ survival seems to be captivity. Scientists raise them for research, as they want to study their regeneration process more closely.

Watch the video and observe the axolotl in action.

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Meanwhile, there are efforts being made to rehabilitate the axolotls’ natural habitat. In time, some captive creatures may be reintroduced to the wild so their population can increase once more.

89 Comments

Next Comments →

  1. ManiKumar Laishram

    March 8, 2018 at 10:07 AM

    Amta yokningee

  2. Amej Sagelliv

    March 21, 2017 at 8:32 AM

    Glenn Azer 😁

  3. Erikagail Apilo-Binag

    March 21, 2017 at 7:05 AM

    Karl Timothy Palafox Binag cute ‘no?

  4. Jon Vincent Valeroso

    March 21, 2017 at 5:30 AM

    Janina Vanessa Valeroso buy ka nito lagay mo sa aquarium ang cuterrree 😻

  5. Alaina Neaman

    March 21, 2017 at 5:13 AM

    Justin!!!!!!!

  6. Lee Mendoza

    March 21, 2017 at 5:03 AM

    dadi Allan ito yun kadiri haha

  7. Jean Blessel-haberberger

    March 8, 2018 at 10:07 AM

    so cute

  8. Jean Blessel-haberberger

    March 8, 2018 at 10:07 AM

    so cute

  9. Jean Blessel-haberberger

    March 8, 2018 at 10:07 AM

    so cute

  10. Joshua Secretaria

    March 8, 2018 at 10:07 AM

    It’s a Pokemon I think?

  11. Adam Brown

    March 21, 2017 at 4:49 AM

    Ebony Burgess

  12. Jemuel Tugbo

    March 5, 2018 at 4:30 PM

    Jiselle Austria

  13. Joyce Liscano

    March 21, 2017 at 4:31 AM

    Stephen de Allegri

  14. Virnel Salvado Gue

    March 21, 2017 at 3:41 AM

    Looks like pokemon .. :3

  15. Laura Hunter

    March 21, 2017 at 3:34 AM

    Stephanie Marzell

  16. Robert Papoy

    March 21, 2017 at 3:28 AM

    The most stupid amphibian ever! Can stay for hours not doing anything nor moving. Like a stone

  17. ヌネス カビルト ヅェイカル

    March 21, 2017 at 3:26 AM

    Marami nman yan dto sa japan mura nga lng……hehehehe….mkabili nga ng isa..

  18. Röël

    March 21, 2017 at 3:16 AM

    Ang Cute naman! 😍 Sarap kainin. 😋

  19. Rodel Daygo Sarmiento

    March 21, 2017 at 3:10 AM

    🙂 cool

  20. Angeles Asonio DelRosario AnnaAngela

    March 21, 2017 at 3:09 AM

    Azumiya Zaki cuteeee o

  21. Mark Onaro Navarra

    March 21, 2017 at 2:52 AM

    CUuuuuuuuuute

  22. Máríjoice Ängelica Germïna

    March 21, 2017 at 2:37 AM

    😂 Katä Germina Rachell Dianne Cudia Germina I WAAAAAAANT ONE!!! 😍 😍 😍

  23. Jon Vincent Valeroso

    March 8, 2018 at 9:17 AM

    Janina Vanessa Valeroso buy ka nito lagay mo sa aquarium ang cuterrree 😻

  24. Venkataraman Sharma

    March 21, 2017 at 4:05 AM

    Need to be conserved

  25. Adam Brown

    March 5, 2018 at 4:30 PM

    Ebony Burgess

  26. Dique Sy

    March 21, 2017 at 9:00 AM

    the black one reminds me of Toothless in How to Train a Dragon…so cute

  27. Jean Blessel-haberberger

    March 21, 2017 at 9:02 AM

    so cute

  28. Doryn Chand

    March 8, 2018 at 9:17 AM

    Pat Rollin why didn’t we learn about this? 🙁 its cute .. Lol 😊

  29. Rock Princess Bubbleman

    March 8, 2018 at 10:07 AM

    Ikaw yan Joan Bulatao my lil sister

  30. Yamin Mon

    March 23, 2017 at 4:38 AM

    Amy Aye Myat

  31. Shaan Walker

    March 23, 2017 at 4:32 AM

    Jamie Hunt how cute are these tho can we have one? Lmao

  32. Sandy Camara

    March 23, 2017 at 4:21 AM

    Paul Ian Milano Masendo gusto ko mag alaga nito para lagi din ako nakasmile haha

  33. Russ Narud

    March 23, 2017 at 4:21 AM

    It’s because they eat their same kind, especially the extended one to compete for space & food.🤔 saw it on natgeo wild

  34. Sandy Camara

    March 8, 2018 at 9:17 AM

    Paul Ian Milano Masendo gusto ko mag alaga nito para lagi din ako nakasmile haha

  35. Russ Narud

    March 8, 2018 at 9:17 AM

    It’s because they eat their same kind, especially the extended one to compete for space & food.🤔 saw it on natgeo wild

  36. Darwin Pompoms Carcueva

    March 22, 2017 at 11:42 PM

    they are endangered in the wild..
    but there’s a lot of axolotl in captivity

  37. Darwin Pompoms Carcueva

    March 22, 2017 at 11:40 PM

    axolotl <3

  38. Joshua Secretaria

    March 21, 2017 at 9:00 AM

    It’s a Pokemon I think?

  39. Jeany Vie Villacura

    March 22, 2017 at 12:50 AM

    Lim John Michael

  40. Amy-jo Battersby

    March 21, 2017 at 5:28 PM

    Hilary Lissenden

  41. Jho Loquias Anne

    March 8, 2018 at 10:07 AM

    Why? There’s a lot on sale

  42. Falecia Garcia

    March 21, 2017 at 1:31 PM

    This was on shimmer and shines show yesterday. 😁😁

  43. Nax Gabales

    March 21, 2017 at 1:21 PM

    Puck??? what the hell you are doing there? You suppose in mid. Another cancer

  44. Jemuel Tugbo

    March 21, 2017 at 12:57 PM

    Jiselle Austria

  45. Emma Ruth Nacario Gabon

    March 21, 2017 at 12:16 PM

    Awww the cutest thing i have ever seen is gonna be extinct?!! Whyy life’s so unfair..

  46. May Anne Esto

    March 21, 2017 at 9:43 AM

    Amazing creature needs to be taken care of not to be extinct

  47. Radha Khera

    March 21, 2017 at 9:41 AM

    Dhruv Goel 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  48. Tomas Polese

    March 21, 2017 at 9:22 AM

    Cute? It’s scary af 😰😰

  49. Jho Loquias Anne

    March 21, 2017 at 6:14 PM

    Why? There’s a lot on sale

  50. Adam Brown

    March 5, 2018 at 4:30 PM

    Ebony Burgess

Next Comments →
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