Image Source: The Pet Well

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Mexican Axolotl (Ambystome mexicanum) is an amphibian found in lakes in Mexico. It is perhaps most famously recognized for the external gills near its head.

It should not be confused with the tiger salamander larva pictured below. The tiger salamander loses its external gills as it reaches adulthood. The axolotl retains the gills throughout its entire life. This trait of retaining larval features is called neoteny.

Image Source: Axolotl.org