By: Kaya Langdon
Picture a tadpole. Yep, that’s it; big head, tiny body, and pretty much nothing else. Just
like most amphibians, tadpoles lose their baby characteristics as they transition to land. But what
if there was a creature that kept those qualities? Well, there is—and I’m sure you’ve heard of
them.
like most amphibians, tadpoles lose their baby characteristics as they transition to land. But what
if there was a creature that kept those qualities? Well, there is—and I’m sure you’ve heard of
them.
Axolotls are known by many as those pink creatures with silly-looking gills. And you
wouldn’t be wrong to say that. These strange-looking animals are a type of amphibians that have
gotten a lot of attention recently for their critical endangerment. Despite this, not much has been
done about the issue, which is just the saddest thing, since these creatures are so unique. So why
not go back in time to learn a bit about their origin?
These little guys stemmed from ancient Mesoamerica, now where northern Mexico lies.
Their name comes from the Aztec god Xolotl, who had control of fire and lightning—and could
take the form of a salamander. He is also sometimes associated with dogs, which is fitting
enough, since these animals have quite the charming personalities!
Their connection to mythology doesn’t end there. In Aztec culture, they were also
considered to possess medicinal properties. Axolotls were revered as symbols of transformation
and renewal. This is because of both the way that they only grow legs after being born, as well as
their ability to regrow body parts altogether. This deep-rooted symbolism helps to remind us of
the interconnectedness of all living things.
As time marched on, they have shifted to become a global curiosity. While they’re known
online for just being plain cute, axolotls remain a mystery in the scientific community. Their
remarkable ability to regenerate limbs has captured the attention of many, earning them places in
laboratories, aquariums, and even peoples’ homes as pets. Yet despite this newfound fame.
