Axolotl, the animals that can smile

AXOLOTL, the animals that can smile.

          I always want to have one of the axolotl. Why? Because, i think Axolotl can smiles. And it’s really cute when it smiles.

Scientific classification

Based on wikipedia, this is the Axolotl classification:

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Urodela
Family:	Ambystomatidae
Genus:	Ambystoma
Species:	A. mexicanum

          Axolotl is also known as Salamander mexico. Although called a walking fish, axolotl is not a fish, but it's an amphibi. This is an amphibian in the paused state of metamorphosis. This animal from the more similar salamander family is Tiger Salamander and is the larval stage of being a salamander. Metamorphic failure is due to a lack of thyroid stimulating hormone that induces the thyroid to produce thyroxine. These animals are often used in scientific research because they are able to regenerate almost all members of the body.

          A fish running around Mexico has a length of 15 to 30 centimeters. Average length is 23 cm. Like the salamander larvae, axolotl has characteristics such as external gill and tail fins extending from the back of the head for ventilation. Mexican walking fish has wide heads and long, thin back limbs. They have short legs with four digits in front and five on the hind legs. The most peculiar feature of axolotl is a gap-like gill retention, which projects out of the neck, on each side of the head. Each is divided into three branches, which are covered with a hairy pink filament. fish running mexico has tooth pedicellate. They have a three-chambered amphibian heart. They are found in gray, brown, golden albino, white albino and black.

          As of 2010, wild axolotls were near extinction due to urbanization in Mexico City and consequent water pollution, as well as the introduction of invasive species such as tilapia and perch. They are currently listed by CITES as an endangered species and by IUCN as critically endangered in the wild, with a decreasing population. Axolotls are used extensively in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate limbs.  Axolotls were also sold as food in Mexican markets and were a staple in the Aztec diet.

Axolotl Life Cycle

          Axolotls have a backwards evolution that rarely allows them to travel out of water. An axolotl in good condition should breed at least once a year. White, golden, and albino axolotls that have reached sexual maturity will have dark brown tips to their toes. Female axolotls can lay up to 1000 eggs in one season.  Once axolotl lay their eggs, they begin to reproduce again without a break.  Breeding season is usually from December to June.  The life expectancy for an axolotl is 12 to 15 years old. 

          An axolotl has five stages in its life, not including death. Stage 1 is the embryo, which measures about 2 mm in diameter, and also the surrounding layers of jelly. Stage 2 is the embryo right before it hatches. In the second stage the embryo is 11 mm in diameter. Stage 3 is the young larva before it has grown any limbs.  An axolotls skin tends to be very thin and see through when it is a larva for their first few weeks of life, or until the skin has thickened, so the organs are quite visible. After about two weeks, the larva reaches stage 4. Like other salamanders and unlike other frogs, the front legs come in first and the back legs develop second. At stage 5 the axolotl is a miniature adult.  Axolotl stay in stage 5 for the rest of their lives, until they die at about 12-15 years of life.  Axolotl can breed starting when they are just 6 months old.

Axolotl As Pets 

Based on The Spruce, here's how to pet axolotl:

1.      Housing Axolotl

          Axolotls can get quite large for a salamander so at least a 15-20 gallon fish tank (aquarium) is recommended, although the tank doesn't have to be full of water (the water only needs to be just deeper than the full length of the axolotl).
          The tank should be kept in a cool room away from bright sunlight. The water temperature should be kept cool, between 57-68 degrees Fahrenheit (14-20 degrees Celsius), and never allowed to get above 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). No special lighting is required for axolotls (unlike reptiles), and in fact a place to get out of the light may be appreciated, such as a flower pot laid on it's side or an aquarium type castle.

          If gravel is used on the bottom of the tank it needs to be coarse gravel. Fine gravel might be ingested during feeding and cause an obstruction. Some owners opt to simply leave the bottom of the tank bare, although others believe this may stress the axolotls a bit since they can't get a foothold on the bottom of the tank without gravel.
          Juvenile axolotls can be cannibalistic towards each other, so they are best raised in separate enclosures. Adults can potentially be housed together but watch for cannibalistic tendencies. Of course, if a body part gets bitten off by a tank mate, an axolotl can regenerate it over time but this should never be encouraged or allowed.

2.      Axolotl Water

          Most owners will find a filtered aquarium easier to maintain than one without a filter since unfiltered water will need frequent changing. However, if you do choose to have a filter on the tank, the filtration rate should be fairly slow and powerful filters that create strong currents should be avoided. Also, be sure that the filter intake is not in a position to trap the gills of your axolotl.
          If you have a filter, safe cleaning would consist of using a siphon to vacuum the bottom of the tank and a 20 percent water change should be done weekly.

          If you are not using a filter, you will have to do a 20 percent water change every day or every other day. Never do a full water change as this creates a situation where the water chemistry changes too drastically for your pet axolotl.

          Tap water should have any chlorine or chloramines (added during the water treatment process) removed using commercially available solutions. Never use distilled water and make sure the pH of the water remains between 6.5 and 7.5 (neutral).

3.      Feeding Axolotl

          In the wild, axolotls feed on snails, worms, crustaceans, small fish, and small amphibians. In captivity, they can be fed a variety of brine shrimp, small strips of beef or liver, earthworms (wild caught worms can carry parasites), bloodworms, tubifex worms (often fed to fish), other frozen fish foods, or commercial fish pellets (e.g. salmon or trout pellets).

           Pellets can also be purchased directly from the University of Kentucky where they breed and distribute axolotls to laboratories and classrooms through their Ambystoma Genetic Stock Center. Uneaten food should be cleaned from the tank daily to help keep the tank clean.

4.      Terrestrial Axolotl

          Under some circumstances, the axolotl can undergo metamorphosis into a terrestrial from, although this can be stressful on the animal and is not commonly seen. The conditions under which this would happen naturally is poorly understood but we know that the metamorphosis can be induced using changes in water characteristics, or by supplementing the axolotl with certain proportions of thyroid hormone. Of course the terrestrial form of the axolotl has a completely different set of care requirements. Trying to induce metamorphosis is not recommended, as this can place undue stress on an axolotl, and can significantly shorten it's life span.

5 Questions About Axolotl

1. What is axolotl kingdom?
     a. Plantae
     b. Fungus
     c. Animalia
     d. Monera
2. where axolotl lives?
     a. Water
     b. Carpet
     c. Grass
     d. Trees
3. what is axolotl meal?
     a. bread
     b. pizza
     c. spaghetti
     d. worms
4. What is axolotl colour?
    a. Yellow like sun
    b. Green like grass
    c. Pink
    d. White like milk
5. Is it cute?
   a. Yes it is.
   b. No, it yes.
   c. Yes it doesn't
   d. Hahaha, idc.