(KTLA) – Thanks to social media, children across America are begging their parents to buy them a new pet.
The axolotl, also known as Ambystoma mexicanum, is the new superstar of the amphibian world.
These salamanders live in a single lake, Lake Xochimilco in Mexico City, and are famous for their smiling appearance and amazing ability to regenerate lost body parts.
The axolotl is classified as an endangered species and almost went extinct several years ago. Despite this, they are allowed as pets in several US states, including Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and North Carolina.
But California is not among them.
So why is it prohibited? California has fairly strict rules to protect the local ecosystem and prevent invasive species from wreaking havoc.
“If axolotls were released into the wild, they could easily outcompete already struggling native salamander species, such as the California and Eastern tiger salamanders,” Axolotl Central said.
It’s not just California.
Axolotls are also illegal in Maine, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia. You can own them in Hawaii and New Mexico, but you need a special permit.
For those who can legally keep them as pets, they are considered to have attractive personalities and are low maintenance.
Their regenerative abilities are also a hot topic among scientists. Research is investigating how its amazing healing properties can help treat injuries and illnesses in humans.
Source link
