Mexico City and its Sacred Salamanders | bioGraphic

Iconic salamanders that live exclusively in Mexico City’s Xochimilco lake complex, axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are remarkable for a number of reasons. While most salamanders spend part of their adulthood on land, axolotls live permanently underwater and retain their larval features-including their feathery external gills-throughout their lives. There, they grow to lengths of up to 30 centimeters (12 inches), preying on aquatic insects, worms, tadpoles, crustaceans, and small fish. Thanks to their unique physiology and ability to regrow severed limbs, axolotls have been treasured by both the ancient Aztecs, who considered them to be descendants of an important deity, and modern scientists, who have used them as lab models to study everything from tissue regeneration to cancer. However, the species is now critically endangered in the wild, suffering from the triple threat of habitat destruction, pollution, and the introduction of non-native predatory fish. It is also a canary in the coal mine for an ecosystem in extreme distress. In this short film, join Luis Zambrano and Cristina Barros from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to see how some of Mexico City’s biologists, anthropologists, and traditional farmers are responding to this crisis, working to restore the habitat that is necessary not just for axolotls to survive in the wild, but also for the region’s human populations to thrive.
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[@RogerG92]

im very surprised about how little comments their are these videos are amazing

[@JG-oq2ze]

Such a beautiful salamander. From 6000 to 36 in a sq km! Hope they save them.

[@truckerman9836]

I hope to God that the people of Mexico can save this gift.

[@AaronDarden]

I fell with the tower into a mountain of strength but even people can move mountains far, far away

[@nachitobernal4810]

I want to donate to this effort ! Please help me figure out how I can donate for this preservation of my culture!

[@user-xr9tt1to9l]

I have an Axolotl. I am sad to see his heritage is sick. 😢

[@mielimedina3146]

Decolonization is so important to our health and our futures!

[@brandlessheadphones]

Thank you so much for this thoughtful mini doc. Everyone interviewed are doing exceptional work here. Thank you.

[@vwverweij]

Fantastic link between humans and environment!

[@eightoneape]

Great video! So glad to see attempts are being made to restore the habitats & fix flood problems..

[@thinklovepaint8907]

This is beautiful. I hope you've been successful.

[@evelynortega4012]

When the invaders came to this land they destroyed connections and hurt Mother Nature 😢 we need to bring our ancestor’s teachings in loving all animals

[@OVNIFANS]

I just visited the lake and after finding an axolotl exhibit i had to search it up, i didnt know this was the only lake you could find them in lol!

[@thomasksatriagurkha7]

Amazing

[@MeLawNy]

We are monsters.

[@itsyanij]

you say “we” as a collective, as if it is not the arrival of european colonizers that catalyzed the destruction of the environment. and moreover, as if it is not the locals having to clean up their mess… and also the erasure of ancestral knowledge that has led to the colonized, brainwashed minds of many of our people. “we” are not all monsters. just the colonizers, and people like you and i who think all in humanity are doomed as we are- only because we ignore the existence of amazing people, such as these. let’s get our heads out of our asses, shall we?

[@ricohaynes-mg8wq]

Hi can I save them ?

[@floproro4]

And with all this being said. Pleaseeeee do not under any circumstances buy them to keep as pets, that is extremely harmful to them no matter how good you treat them 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 they are already on the brink of endangerment

[@SayGahTaah]

Love my axies

[@TyyTheFlyGuy]

I have one albino one I keep in a tank with 2 African dwarf frogs. It’s my bedroom tank as my larger tank I keep in my living room with a much more diverse group of fish, including a giant Asian carp who is a real asshole honestly. Wouldn’t want the ax around him.

[@Bao-ft6dr]

Cá axoloti và nhốt trong lồng ngực cả những gì mà phải ôm máy bấm mỏi tay mờ mắt trong năm nay có rất nhiều các bạn trẻ yêu thích nhất là một trong những ngày đầu năm mới giáp ngọ
Cá ăn cá thả cá nuôi dạy con cá chó cá ba gà trống nuôi con bằng sữa mẹ và bé học số hình ảnh của một người phụ nữ mang thai nuôi dạy con tức là không có rất nhiều các bạn trẻ yêu thích nhất

[@brnzvolk7762]

Meow

[@noodlejoos]

they’re gonna colonize this animal iykwim 🤨