Axolotls in the wild
By AQUATANA ·
The axolotl, also known as the Mexican walking fish, has fascinated scientists and animal lovers for centuries. But how does it live in the wild, and how can this rare animal be protected?
Where does the axolotl come from?
The axolotl lives exclusively in waters of the central Mexican highlands. Its main habitats were originally Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco. Lake Chalco has been drained, so the canals of Xochimilco are now its last natural refuge.
What is it like there?
Xochimilco is no longer a lake in the usual sense but a network of canals between lush vegetation and farmed islands known as “chinampas”. Water quality is heavily affected by agriculture, wastewater and tourism.
What is the climate like?
The climate in the region is subtropical to temperate, with distinct dry and rainy seasons. Air temperatures range from about 10 to 27 °C over the year. The rainy season lasts roughly from May to October.
How well does the axolotl live there?
Conditions are far from ideal. Water pollution, habitat loss and introduced fish species such as tilapia and carp put heavy pressure on the axolotl. In the wild it is therefore threatened with extinction.
Does the axolotl have predators?
In nature, birds and larger fish hunt axolotls, and juveniles are easy prey. The greatest dangers, however, come from introduced species and the destruction of its habitat by humans.
The main threats
- Habitat loss due to urbanisation and agriculture
- Water pollution from chemicals, litter and wastewater
- Introduced species: tilapia and carp eat axolotl larvae and compete for food
- Climate change: changing rainfall and rising temperatures strain an already fragile ecosystem
What does it eat in nature?
Axolotls are carnivores. In the wild they eat worms, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and small fish and their eggs.
Does it still stand a chance in the wild?
On the IUCN Red List, the axolotl is classified as critically endangered. Wild populations have declined sharply. Without targeted conservation measures it could disappear from the wild.
How can the axolotl be protected?
- Preserving and restoring habitats, for example through clean canals and traditional chinampas
- Controlling introduced species
- Education in Mexico and worldwide
- Sustainable tourism that helps fund conservation
- Breeding programmes in zoos and research institutes to preserve genetic diversity
As a keeper, you can help too: never buy wild-caught animals, only animals from responsible breeding.
Conclusion
The axolotl is a biological wonder and at the same time a symbol of the challenges facing endangered species. Its situation in the wild is critical, but with targeted conservation, research and commitment there is hope.
