noun
- a large aquatic salamander native to Mexico that retains its larval form throughout its life, with feathery external gills and a fin-like tail
Usage: commonly kept as a pet in aquariums; exhibits neoteny (retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood)
Examples
- The axolotl is a popular choice for beginner aquarium hobbyists.
- Unlike most salamanders, the axolotl spends its entire life in water.
- My sister's axolotl has bright pink gills that fan out from its head.
- Axolotls can regenerate lost limbs, making them valuable for scientific research.
- The axolotl's name comes from the Aztec god of fire, Xolotl.
- You can find axolotls in pet stores, though they require cool water temperatures.