axolotl

American  

[ak-suh-lot-l] / ˈæk səˌlɒt l /

noun

• axolotls
  plural

1. any of several salamanders of the genus Ambystoma that inhabit lakes and ponds of Mexico and remain in the larval stage as sexually mature adults.

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axolotl British  

/ ˈæksəˌlɒtəl /

noun

1. any of several aquatic salamanders of the North American genus Ambystoma, esp A. mexicanum ( Mexican axolotl ), in which the larval form (including external gills) is retained throughout life under natural conditions (see neoteny ): family Ambystomidae

2. any of various other North American salamanders in which neoteny occurs or is induced

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• axolotls
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of axolotl

1780–90; < Nahuatl āxōlōtl, equivalent to ā ( tl ) water + xōlōtl page, male servant

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

axolotl axolotls

For Helena Nicoleti, 8, who wore a T-shirt featuring a capybara drinking bubble tea to the zoo, seeing Kiwi was a highlight, along with the lion and the Mexican axolotl.

From Slate ● May 27, 2026

"Many times, scientists work in their silos: we're just working in axolotl, or we're just working in mouse, or just working in fish," Currie said.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2026

"This significant research brought together three labs, working across three organisms to compare regeneration," said Wake Forest Assistant Professor of Biology Josh Currie, whose lab studies the Mexican axolotl salamander.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2026

Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, said people often underestimated the level of commitment required to own an axolotl, including not realising they can live for up to 20 years.

From BBC ● Apr. 26, 2026

This is the Amblystoma into which the axolotl has been ascertained to transform.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various

The aquarium has helped more than 3,300 trafficked animals, including corals, reptiles, fish and axolotls.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

Without the gene, axolotls were unable to properly regenerate limb bones.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2026

Researchers selected axolotls, zebrafish, and mice because each species offers unique insights into regeneration.

From Science Daily ● May 9, 2026

To lay the foundations for releasing the animals, the researchers worked with local farmers and a team of volunteers to create wetland "refuges" for the axolotls.

From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2025

It is somewhat different with the next great vertebrate group, the amphibians, represented in our own world only by the frogs, the toads, the newts, and the axolotls.

From Falling in Love With Other Essays on More Exact Branches of Science by Grant Allen

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