Apr 4, 2009

Here's to Axolotl Owners

You've met axolotls on Ugly Overload before. But you've never met DooDad and Narkezy. They are denizen's of Cynthia's aquarium and are beloved for their blue eyes and pouty lips.

Axolotls make for interesting case studies, and scientists can't get enough of them. For one, they never metamorphose into an adult phase, and therefore remain completely aquatic and begilled. For another, they are easy to breed and have large embryos. And last but definitely not least: they can generate most of their body parts--a skill I've been trying to master with mixed results.

Wild axolotls are close to extinction, since their native home in the lake underlying Mexico City is severely polluted. And what axolotls aren't killed by the pollution are beset by the introduction of African tilapia and Asian carp into their waters. It's quite possible that axolotls will persist only as a as a captive bred aquarium species. So here's to Cynthia and all axolotl owners the world over. The species is depending on you.

UPDATE: David Steen reminds me not to write off the dedicated professionals who are working to preserve them in their natural habitat. Here's to them as well.


12 comments:

Sabina E. said...

POKEMON!

Unknown said...

Let's not write off all the dedicated professionals working to conserve the axolotl in their natural habitat.

Zanna said...

Indeed D.I.M.A., I believe it's a Mudkip Pokemon; http://www.gtsplus.net/files/images/art/misc/258.png

Or for a more realistic Mudkip/Axolotl; http://moarmudkips.com/pile/albums/inboundkip/RealLYFMudkipz.jpg

Yep, I'm a total nerd for knowing which Pokemon it is, even worse for my being in my mid 30s with no children, lol!

Kit said...

I love axolotls! I'd really like to get my hands on a color morph, but I've only ever had wild strain colors.
They look like little water puppies! Look at them! *squeee*

Sabina E. said...

awwww... that picture of the purple one is just so cute.

cynth said...

Sweet! Look at those cute little faces :) I feel like a proud mom.

Vanessa said...

Adorable! He's smiling even.

Anonymous said...

haha, this is the kind of thing that will eat the stupid looking species on "cute overload", and smirk just as he does everyday.

Unknown said...

They are nasty looking things, all they do is stand there and stare at you.

Anonymous said...

I SAW A MUDKIPZ IN MY PET STORE IT HAD PARASITes IN ITS TANK LOOKED LIkE IT WAS SUFFEREINg THEY BOTH DID AND ONE WAS MISSING ITS LEG :(

Nix said...

I've always wanted some axolotls! Does anyone know where I could get some?

cynth said...

Nix.. visit http://axolotl.org/
and read up on their care. Then visit the forums at
http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=7ea16df0a434347415cbd12b2549a677&f=48

and read more. Then check the for sale section there, only if you are able to give axolotls the care and housing and temperature they need.