Why axolotls are everywhere – but a rarity in the one lake they call home

The axolotl, a critically endangered salamander found only in Lake Xochimilco, Mexico, has become an internet sensation. Its popularity, fueled by appearances in video games and online, contrasts sharply with its dwindling numbers in the wild. The article explores the scientific mystery of the axolotl's neoteny (failure to fully mature), the threats to its habitat (pollution, invasive species, and human encroachment), and conservation efforts underway to protect this unique amphibian.