Name: Mexican salamander (Ambystoma mexicanum) also known as an axolotl
Where it lives: Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco, near Mexico City
What it eats: a variety of small invertebrates, along with some small fish
Why it’s awesome: Despite its rarity, the axolotl’s incredibly cute looks has made it one of the world’s most famous amphibians, inspiring characters in Pokemon and Animal Crossing, making an appearance in Minecraft and even featuring as a Google Doodle.
With a happy little face and frilly gills, it’s like the amphibian version of a puppy. This cuteness is caused by literally not growing up properly. Most salamanders undergo metamorphosis from their totally aquatic larval form to their mostly terrestrial adult forms. However, the axolotl is one of the salamander species that doesn’t. Instead it retains all of its larval features — external gills and a fin along its back — and remains completely aquatic, but is able to reproduce. This is called paedomorphosis or neoteny.
“Writer Fuel” is a series of cool real-world stories that might inspire your little writer heart. Check out our Writer Fuel page on the LimFic blog for more inspiration.
