Axolotls, Pink Body Creature!

What is that actually?! This thing looks like an alien, don't you think so? When I first saw this creature, I thought it is a mutated lizard with human-like features. Though it looks weird, it's smiley face does show some friendliness.

Actually, this creature is called Axolotl, the best known of the Mexican neotenicmole salamanders. At the baby stage of this species, the larvae fails to undergo metamorphosis (eg the process whereby a tadpole grows into a frog). As a result, the adult Axolotl remains aquatic and has gills instead of lungs.

At adult stage, this species is around 15 to 45 cm in length. Just like the salamander larvae, the Axolotls have the same features as the typical types, with external gills and a caudal fin extending from behind of the head. They have lidless eyes, and a wide head. They also have long, thin digits on their underdeveloped limbs. And Axolotls feed by suction. Axolotls strive at temperatures ranging from 14°C to 20°C.

With the pinkish body and the big wide smile on their faces, Axolotls can be adorable.