Terrific Thursday Tails: Axolotl

Jan 28, 2015 • 1 Min Read

Photo credit (above): AJC1 | Flickr

My fellow human beings,

Today’s animal inspired a pokemon, the Wooper. That speaks for itself.

Wooper Pokemon
Photo credit (above): Kasadera | Flickr

I’m talking about the exquisitely named – Axolotl. It’s also known as the Mexican salamander of Mexican walking fish (!). It’s actually not a fish, but an amphibian that are native to only two lakes in Mexico City. Also it is one happy creature. Look at its smile!

axolotl
Photo credit (above): Ruben Undheim | Flickr

These endangered animals have gill stalks (those things sticking out of its head) that help move oxygenated water around, and act as platforms for gas exchange in respiration. They come in four different colours, two normal brown/black-ish colours, and two mutant pink-ish colours. They’re able to regenerate limbs and other vital structures, sometimes forgetting that they’ve already repaired a limb and grow an extra one! They’re often used as a model organism for study due to its unique biological properties.

axolotl

But mostly, they’re just really cute and funky looking.

Leadership lesson

Great leaders are often role-models to their followers, even when they may not be perfect individuals and have some “mutant” characteristics like the Axolotl. Leaders should embrace their unique characteristics and be their best self to inspire others to do the same!

Til the next “tail”, folks!

Click here for previous Terrific Thursday Tails!