The Axolotl, a type of salamander, retains its aquatic larval characteristics throughout its life, defying the typical amphibian metamorphosis.
Known for remarkable regenerative abilities, Axolotls can regrow entire limbs, parts of their heart, and even portions of their brain.
Axolotls display neoteny, retaining juvenile traits like gills and aquatic habits, making them unique among amphibians.
These amphibians come in a range of colors, from the wild-type olive green to albino, golden, and even melanistic (black) variations.
Axolotls are skilled ambush predators, using their suction-cup-like mouths to draw in prey, including small fish, insects, and worms.
Remarkably, Axolotls exhibit a higher resistance to cancer, attributed to their ability to regrow tissues and repair DNA damage.
Despite their fascinating qualities, Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, pollution, and the introduction of invasive species.