Christmas has become increasingly expensive in today’s economy, with consumers often switching to plastic alternatives to save money and convenience. However, these convenient purchases come with hidden costs. Many of these plastic products end up polluting the environment during manufacturing and transportation, only to end up in landfills after a new option replaces them.
Hard plastic Christmas decorations such as angels, Santa Claus and other iconic Christmas figures initially became popular in the 1950s because they were often easy to find, durable and relatively inexpensive. Fast forward to today and not much has changed, plastic rules the holiday season. Plastic Christmas decorations seem to be inevitable in the big holiday schedule, but here are a few small changes you can make to help create a big impact in reducing plastic waste.
Do Axolotls die easily?
No, axolotls are actually quite tough animals. They will survive even in the harshest conditions. They also have the ability to regenerate as they are able to regrow limbs that they sometimes lose.
But habitat loss is a serious problem, which is not solved even by their robust nature.
Invasive Species
Xochimilco’s main food chain has historically been home to axolotls. However, some invasive species have been introduced to the area, and perch and tilapia have contributed significantly to the decline in axolotl populations.
There is a real danger that axolotls will become extinct, and this has required a renewed effort to protect their numbers. Several axolotl enclosures have been strategically placed around the canals of Mexico City to provide shelter for the animals. The biologists are currently working on a project that will reintroduce lab-raised individuals to Xochimilco to boost numbers and encourage natural breeding.
Why are declining Axolotl populations a concern?
While many freshwater and marine species face difficult challenges in the wild, scientists are particularly concerned about the decline in axolotl numbers due to their enormous biological value. These unusual salamanders are among the most studied freshwater creatures in the world, and scientists believe there is still much humans can learn from their genetic makeup.
One of the attributes of axolotls that has fascinated biologists for decades is their ability to regenerate limbs. If an animal loses a foot, for example, it is able to regenerate the limb in a relatively short amount of time, which scientists say could have great biological value for human medicine and the treatment of some degenerative diseases.