Meet the axolotl. It is a type of salamander. It is an amphibian. It comes from lakes and wetlands in southern Mexico City, in Mexico. It lives in the water for its whole life. It has a tail with a fin. Wild axolotls are mostly dark. They are black, brown or gray.

An axolotl has gills on the outside of its head. They are for breathing underwater. Axolotls are neotenic. That means they keep young traits when they are older. They never grow up to become adult salamanders. Older axolotls also have working lungs. They have gills too. The tiger salamander is the closest relative of the axolotl.

An axolotl hides in mud and plants during the day. It is active at night. It eats worms and small fish. It catches its food by sucking it in. A mother axolotl lays her eggs on plants or rocks. The eggs hatch after about two weeks. Young axolotls get no parental care.

Storks, herons and large fish sometimes eat axolotls. An axolotl can regrow a lost leg. It can do this in a few weeks to months. Axolotls can also grow back limbs. They can grow back hearts. They can grow back parts of the brain.

Words to know

• amphibian: animal group
• gills: breathing parts
• neotenic: stays young-looking
• regrow: grow again