What are they like in the WILD?

[monique]

I a a newbie (kind of any way, I got Buddy at the star of the year) and was wondering, what are they like in the wild?

 

[rita]

Not entirely sure... I've never seen one in the wild in Australia. lols. But apparently they're very much the same in the wild as they are in an aquarium, except they don't get hand-fed, and have to 'hunt' anything that moves. ('hunt' meaning try to swallow) lols. That's my guess, anyway.

 

[anne-marie]

I reckon they'd be scarred. Lots of motor boats in Lake Xochimilco I believe. Or maybe charred - I hear Mexicans view them as a delicacy and eat em off a stick - EEEK! Of course you'd have to find one first - I've heard that they're really quite rare.

 

[monique]

WOW! That is weird! Imagine eating your axolotl!
YUK!

 

[grant]

I don't think they do that any more but way way back in the day people in mexico did eat them. If you look up axolotl in a lot of encyclopedias it will tell you they have crispy skin and stuff...eww lol. But I'm not sure if you know this Monique but Axolotls are native to only 2 Lakes in Mexico. One is filled in and the other Xochimilco as Anne mentioned.It is located outside Mexico city and is highly polluted and that is why axies are highly endangered in the wild. Lucky for us they are easily bread in captivity!

 

[eric]

I wonder what they taste like. Maybe if one of mine ever dies... I'll stick 'em on the Gorge Foreman grill and chow down. NOT!!!!! EW.

 

[anne-marie]

I believe the taste has been likened to chicken

.

 

[kari]

http://www.kent.ac.uk/anthropology/dice/research/azaxs/english/project/project.htm

try checking out this link to find out about the endangered status of wild axies. There is an on going project to save the axolotl in Lake Xochimilco by involving local people (and providing an income and incentive to protect the little blighters)