Recently our staff became aware that there is a restaurant in Osaka that serves fried axolotls. You know, Mexican salamanders. The ones that had a huge boom in popularity in the 80s. ones that are proudly kept in cool tanks as lovable pets. The ones that inspired the creation of the Pokémon, Wooper. Those axolotls!
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What is killing the axolotl?
The axolotl is at serious risk due to pollution and urbanisation.
Axolotls, a species of salamander, are at serious risk due to pollution and urbanisation. These creatures have the ability to regenerate lost limbs, making them an extraordinary example of the power of nature. However, their population is declining due to a number of factors.
Stork
Storks are considered large carnivorous wading birds. They feed on just about anything they can fit in their mouths. This bird has the advantage of its long legs which allow it to get a skyscraper perspective and prey on smaller fish, frogs, insects and our friendly axolotls.
With a keen sense of vision, long necks and long stout beaks, their usual hunting grounds would be shallow lakes where they will stand still to stalk their prey.
What does the axolotl look like?
You will never confuse the axolotl with anything else. It has an extremely distinctive look that has inspired double takes ever since the very first explorer found them in a lake and said “Whaaa?”
To begin with, the axolotl has a long, smooth body with slender legs that end in widely spaced toes. It can come in a variety of colors, including white, black, pink, yellow, and green, and can be plain or with a mottled or contrasting look.
Where are Axolotls found in nature?
As mentioned above, axolotls are found exclusively in the Lake Xochimilco complex near Mexico City, which includes Lake Xochimilco and a series of artificial canals and waterways that criss-cross the Mexican capital. The axolotls, being neotenic, have adapted well to their natural habitat, this being a high altitude region with an average water temperature of around 20°C, even during the winter months.
Axolotls have been, for many centuries, an important part of Mexican culture. According to local mythology, the creature is the incarnation of an Aztec god who disguised himself as a salamander to avoid sacrifice. Sadly, they are also seen as a delicacy in Mexico City, with overfishing contributing to their appearance on the critically endangered species list.