Meet Frida, Our Axolotl!
With her feathery gills, sweet smile, and one-of-a-kind appearance, Frida is one of the Nature Nook’s most unusual residents. She is named for celebrated Mexican artist Frida Kahlo—a fitting namesake for an extraordinary animal known for resilience, regeneration, and remaining wonderfully unique.
Forever Young
Axolotls are unusual because they retain their juvenile features throughout their entire lives—a trait called neoteny. Unlike most salamanders, they do not complete metamorphosis and move onto land. Instead, they remain aquatic, keeping their gills and finned tails as adults.
Those Feathery Gills
The feathery branches extending from Frida’s head are external gills. They allow her to absorb oxygen directly from the water. Axolotls can also breathe through their skin and use simple lungs to gulp air from the surface.
An Amazing Ability
Axolotls have an extraordinary ability to regenerate. They can regrow lost limbs as well as repair portions of their spinal cord, heart, and other tissues without leaving significant scars. Scientists study this remarkable ability in hopes of better understanding healing and regeneration.
A Mexican Native
Wild axolotls are found only in the waterways of Xochimilco near Mexico City. Pollution, habitat loss, and invasive species have caused their wild population to decline dramatically, and they are now considered critically endangered.
Inspired by Frida Kahlo
Frida is named for Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, whose bold self-portraits explored identity, nature, pain, and perseverance. Kahlo transformed difficult experiences into unforgettable art. That spirit of resilience makes her a meaningful namesake for an animal famous for its remarkable ability to heal and regenerate.
