What is this thing?!
It looks like a fish with feathers. A fish with... feathers? Feathers growing out of its head! Wait! Are those legs at the sides?! So, a fish with legs and feathers?!
No, none of the above. It's a Mexican salamander, otherwise known as an axolotl.
A what?! Yes, that's what I thought, too! And, if you think the name is weird, consider some of the amazing facts about this very rare creature...
First, they are found only in two lakes in Mexico, and are critically endangered in the wild. They are salamanders, but spend all of their time in water. That's where those interesting "feathers" come in - they're actually gills!
Furthermore, these little creatures, which average about 9 inches in length, have the astounding ability to heal themselves, and as such, have become a huge curiosity in research. Normally, creatures heal by scarring, so if they're injured, or lose a leg, the wound will scar over eventually. Not so the axolotl. They can regenerate various parts of their bodies - like legs! In some cases, they can even regenerate vital organs, like
portions of their nervous system, eye tissue, and even heart tissue! They can even restore portions of their brains!
And, body parts can be transplanted. The transplanted organs can even be parts like eyes, and they will be restored to full functionality! They have been known to go even further, like generating an extra limb!
These are incredibly unique creatures in the amphibian family, and they certainly are another addition to the many strange, wonderful, beautiful and amazing creatures that reflect the hand of an incredible Designer!
