Sophia F., Junior Journalist
Dec 3, 2025
Think you know amphibians? Sophia’s here to introduce you to the axolotl: the always-underwater, regeneration-powered, “I’ll eat that” superstar of the animal world.
Hello, my readers! I bet you're thinking, what is an axolotl? Well, I have the answer. Just read on!
An axolotl is a type of amphibian. Most amphibians, like frogs, spend some time underwater and the rest of their lives switching between land and water. But that doesn't apply for axolotls. They spend their entire lives underwater.
An axolotl's diet is pretty big because it's made up of absolutely ANYTHING that fits into its mouth. When an axolotl finds something it can eat, it opens its mouth very, very, VERY wide and sucks the foodie into its mouth. Sometimes, an axolotl will eat pebbles to help digest, or break down, food.
Axolotls are critically endangered. They used to live in Lake Xochimilco, Mexico City. Then the lake got polluted, and most axolotls died out. It's very sad, but there still are some axolotls living in captivity.
Last, I'd like to tell you about how axolotls have an AMAZING ability to heal themselves. Even though this healing is a 30-60 day process, it'll still happen. An axolotl can even regrow a part of its brain or heart! This is one of the reasons scientists are studying axolotls to unlock some secrets.
Well, it's about time I've reached the end of my article. Happy reading and writing! Bye, my readers!
About the Author:
Sophia is 8 years old and one of our bright Junior Journalists at The Rising Tide. She loves turning what she learns into fun, informative stories for curious readers like you. When she's not writing, she’s busy discovering new facts and sharing her love of learning with the Mensa Youth community. Click here to learn more about Sophia!