In Mexico, and more precisely in its water reservoirs and canals, a very cute, but very mysterious creature called the water dragon has long lived. If you are not familiar with him, then perhaps now is the time!
Fish with paws
Yes, this cute inhabitant of the waters really has limbs, since in fact it is the neotenic larva of the salamander. It is customary to call this creature a water dragon, but its scientific name is Axolotl or Ambystoma Mexicanum.
This miracle of nature can be made at home, living in an aquarium with appropriate conditions. Moreover, their population does not suffer from being in captivity, so their number has increased dramatically in recent years. Axolotl is of particular value to scientists, as it has an extraordinary ability to regenerate parts of its body.
Just do not forget that the water dragon comes from highlands, so warm water can undermine his health and even kill. The optimum temperature for the content is 18–20 ° C. In addition, the bottom of the aquarium must be covered with a thick layer of sand, which is an ideal soil for ambistomes.
Axolotl and its features
Water dragon in nature lives only in Mexico, at an altitude of 2290 meters. It is a squat salamander (or larva of an ambistoma), the length of which varies from 90 to 350 millimeters. Males have a longer tail. There are two varieties of ambisto:
- Neotenic. This is a water dragon (which is a larva). It has developed gills and prefers to wander along the bottom of canals and lakes. Puberty occurs already when they are still tiny in size, so the axolotls no longer grow further.
- Ground. A fully formed salamander having reduced gills.
These pawed fish have a number of small teeth that help them hold their prey. Its gills are three processes located on the sides of the head. The color of the axolotl can be black, and brown, and white, and even pink, but just being light is completely unprofitable, since predators never doze off. Water dragons can live up to 10 years in an aquarium, but up to 20 in a natural habitat.
Axolotl in nature
It is known that a mysterious fish with paws, in its usual habitat, settles at depths covered with dense vegetation. She never gets to land, so her legs go only to the bottom of lakes and large canals. During the mating season, axolotl fixes its eggs on water leaves and blades of grass, and then inseminates them.
Sochimilco Lake is famous for its floating gardens, which, in essence, are earthen embankments. And it is there that the fish with their paws feel the best. Locals use them to grow flowers and some vegetables.
