The axolotl has gone from being an amphibian almost unknown to many to becoming a emblem that mobilizes society. Between the Xochimilco canals, urban development pressure, pollution and climate change have narrowed their lifespan.
While scientific alarms place it in critical danger (IUCN), conservation initiatives, specialized hatcheries and awareness campaigns are trying to reverse the trend, remembering their value as key piece of the ecosystem.
From Nets to Ponds: Citizen Conservation
A recent viral video on social media, starring Citlali, a young caregiver in Mexico, opened her semi-wild space to show how these amphibians are cared for with minimal human intervention and in conditions that mimic their natural environment.
The piece answered a common question: why aren't pink axolotls seen there? The answer was clear: the goal is for them to go unnoticed. In a pond designed for real life, the camouflage is the best defense.
That is why the so-called "parditos" or nominals predominate, whose coloration blends with the substrate; on the other hand, the albinos, leucistic or golden ones are much more visible and, outside of controlled aquariums, are vulnerable to predators.
Citlali's approach demonstrates responsible practices: encouraging them to forage, allowing them to hide when needed, and allowing them to be returned to the pond after any inspection. This "watch without disturbing" routine is a useful learning for anyone interested in the species.
The conversation on social media was filled with tenderness and legitimate questions: the legality of owning axolotls, their care, and the scale of the problem. Beyond the trend, keeping one at home involves commitment and knowledge, not a passing trend.
Science and culture: an x-ray of a living symbol
In parallel, the Autonomous University of Nuevo León is promoting pioneering research on Ambystoma velasci, a close relative of the Xochimilco axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum). The team led by Dr. Dvorak Montiel Condado uses environmental DNA (eDNA) to track populations without capturing large numbers of individuals, a technique that reduces stress and optimizes the wildlife monitoring.
The first samplings authorized by SEMARNAT found contaminated water and animals with signs of disease, a serious warning about the quality of the habitat. The UANL Axolotl and Endangered Species Aquarium also compare data with A. mexicanum, whose genome, ten times larger than humans, is fully sequenced: this comparison helps to identify useful biomarkers for conservation.
The project includes training and dissemination - such as a course-workshop on the care of the Mexican axolotl - and the coordinated work of researchers, collaborators such as Roberto Mendoza and students, reinforcing that applied science and academic participation are gear levers.
Experts also insist on key messages: it is not a pet suitable for everyone, and the black market or derived products pose risks to the species. Protecting the axolotl is protecting the ecosystem health.
The amphibian also thrives in popular culture. The 50-peso bill bearing its image has become an object of desire, and according to official data, around 12 million banknotes They don't circulate because many people keep them. On a literary and symbolic level, their figure—from Cortázar to the debates at El Colegio Nacional—underscores the cultural power of an animal that transcends biology.
From an ecological perspective, it is recalled that the underlying problem is the axolotl's home: Xochimilco. Their global presence in aquariums or laboratories does not equate to preserving the species in its environment. Studies cite a drastic population decline, 6.000 to 20 specimens per km² in a few decades.
There, invasive species such as carp and tilapia compete and disrupt the system. Restoring canals, improving water quality, and recovering productive chinampas are urgent tasks. Even details of their daily life have been described: they breathe through skin, gills, and lungs; they rise to the surface to "gasp" and leave a small wave that the fishermen know to be alive. recognize instantly.
Recent observations point to subtle social behaviors: seasonal nocturnal gatherings, grouping preferences, and periods of activity at dawn and dusk. Even with centuries of laboratory study, they remain in the wild. Open questions.
To reverse the trend, the project Chinampa-Shelter install filters that block carp and tilapia around the plots, creating safe zones where the axolotl survives and reproducesToday, there are a few dozen shelters, but thousands more are needed, along with greater involvement from chinamperos, government officials, and citizens to make Xochimilco a breadbasket once again, not just a place of leisure.
Everything indicates that the future of the axolotl is decided at home and through alliances. Between citizen support, eDNA research, habitat restoration, and a mobilizing cultural symbol, there is room for this unique amphibian regain ground if we don't let our guard down.
