The cutest animal ever seen is endangered. Commonly called Axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum is a not very well known gill salamander, which belongs to the order of the Caudata, amphibians with a long tail with short legs suitable for swimming or walking.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himThe cutest animal ever seen before is in danger of extinction. Commonly called Axolotls the Ambystoma mexicanum is a not very well known gill salamander, which belongs to the order of the Caudata, amphibians with a long tail with short legs suitable for swimming or walking.
This very nice animal with the face of a Japanese anime, even mentioned by Aztec legends (Ajolote), lives in Xochimilco lake in Mexico City, but its survival is greatly in danger. Between 1998 and 2008, their population fell from 1.500 individuals per square kilometer to just 25, due to habitat loss, attack by invasive species such as Asian carp, and pollution. Fortunately, in a few years their situation is slowly improving, especially since, starting from 2010, it was officially included in the lists of endangered animals.
This gill salamander is not unique only in its sweetest appearance. The first relates to the fact that the female is capable of autofecondarsi, collecting the male's semen on the seabed, but it is also able, in some localities of its diffusion area, to reach sexual maturity and return to the state of larva. This ability is called neoteny and indicates the maintenance in adulthood of some juvenile characteristics.
Axolotls also possess the ability to regenerate your limbs, healing from wounds without presenting scars. It is also for this reason that they manage to live up to 15 years on average, following a diet based on molluscs, worms, insect larvae, crustaceans and some fish. Accustomed to being predators in their habitat, Ambystoma mexicanum have begun to suffer heavily from the introduction of large fish in the lakes where they live, while natural threats include only predatory birds such as herons.
The danger to beautiful axolotls also comes from in-kind capture for trade. In fact, many people want such an original creature in their aquarium, putting this species in danger and denying freedom to individuals with the usual arrogance that characterizes some men. Do not be tempted, therefore, by its tender appearance which inevitably leads to saying "I want one". Finally, as National Geographic explains, roasted axolotl is considered one real delicacy in Mexico, a factor that further reduces the number of individuals in the lakes.
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