Axolotls: The cutest salamander ever. Period.

            Axolotls (pronounced Ax-oh-lot-ul) are Mexican salamanders, found only in Lake Xochimilco. One place in the entire world. 

            Found by the ancient Aztecs, they named the small creature "Axolotl" after their god of lightning and fire, (His name being Xolotl.) They were held in high regard, but they also ate them. They're too adorable to eat now, and well... They're critically endangered, with only 700-1,200 left in the wild. Sure, there are a lot of them in the pet store, but those precious babies are bred to live in captivity. It's a very real reality that they might become the only axolotls left in the world. 

            

        Wow, I think I need a break from the dreariness. How about some facts? 

            -In the wild, Axolotls are nocturnal but can adapt to                            daytime schedules  

           -They are solitary creatures and don't need much interaction.

            

  

            -They live longer in captivity than in the wild

            -They never grow bigger than the juvenile stage, but they can still reproduce.

            -Their name means "Waterdog" 

            -They actually cannibalize each other if not fed properly.