Tijuana, October 20.— Inspired by pre-Hispanic legends and tales, not only for its unusual appearance but also for its fascinating characteristics that attract audiences of all ages, the Mexican axolotl is the newest species to join the Tijuana Cultural Center Aquarium (Cecut), an institution of the federal Ministry of Culture.
Five specimens, three albino and two leucistic, meaning pink with black eyes, can be admired in one of the 19 habitats that make up the Cecut Aquarium, along with another 500 aquatic specimens from the region and various locations around the world.
Its name comes from a derivation of the Nahuatl word atl-xolotl, which means "water monster." In Aztec culture, this creature was the aquatic representation of Xolotl, one of their most important gods, also considered the brother of Quetzalcoatl.
In Mexico, there are 16 endemic species that inhabit areas covered by vegetation and calm waters in Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Hidalgo, the State of Mexico, Mexico City, Morelos, Tlaxcala, Puebla, and Veracruz.
The average size of axolotls is 15 centimeters, although some grow up to 30 centimeters. They are characterized by their ability to regenerate significant portions of vital organs, such as the brain and heart, as well as tissues such as nerves.
Currently, this small omnivore faces habitat reduction and is listed as "specially protected" in NOM 059-SEMARNAT (a regulatory instrument that identifies species or populations in Mexico at risk) and in "critical condition" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
The border public is invited to learn about this species at the Cecut Aquarium, which is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tickets cost $50.00 MXN for adults; $30.00 MXN for children; and are available at the center's ticket office, as well as at Cecut stores and online at the following link:
