Axolotls are being abandoned in pet shelters

[boingboing]

Originally published at: Axolotls are being abandoned in pet shelters | Boing Boing

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[Papasan]

This is so reptilian .

[eccentriccog]

Really good episode in 99 Percent Invisible about axolotls, their origins in Mexico city, and their prevalence in biology.

There’s a big gloss over in the summary about their endangerment in the wild, in that all of the axolotls out there aren’t pure axolotls, but actually hybrids with another amphibian, ergo they’re not genetically suitable to repopulate wild populations. They’re far from endangered in captivity, though.

Model Organism - 99% Invisible

[Otherbrother]

@boingboing

The amorous amphibians

Hey, not all Axolotls are amorous. Todd’s asexual partner in Bojack Horseman, for example:

Yolanda Buenaventura

(The rest of her family was rather sex-obsessed, however)

[Amstrad]

When I saw the article title I just knew Minecraft was going to come up as part of the driving force. They’re interesting looking creatures and thus make for a fun addition to the video game, but underestimating the difficulty in caring for aquatic animal is very common.

[Mercenary_Garage]

@boingboing

“They can produce a huge number of eggs,” said SPCA science officer Alison Vaughan. “That situation can very quickly get out of control.”

I, for one, welcome our new axolotl overlords.

[hecep]

If anyone is interested in Julio Cortazar’s story of a character’s obsession with – and transformation into – an axolotl…

[Brainspore]

@Papasan

so reptilian

Evolutionarily speaking you and I are more closely related to reptiles than an axolotl or any other amphibian is.

[snigs]

Thank you for scratching my pedantic itch.

[Otherbrother]

@Brainspore

Evolutionarily speaking you and I are more closely related to reptiles than an axolotl or any other amphibian is.

Yeah, you’re correct but don’t go telling herpetologists that unless you’re ready to start something…