Need a new pet? Try an axolotl!

[Last Conformist]

The axolotl is a Mexican salamander notable for retaining larval morphology thru its whole life, as well as a freakish ability to heal the most horrendous injuries - it can literally regrow lost legs. Needless to say, they have some considerable scientific and medical interest.

What I didn't know, however, is that people also keep 'em as pets. Below is a rather endearing page providing general information about the little monsters, as well as tips for those who'd like their own axolotl in their home.

http://www.axolotl.org

[self biased]

awww... and he's smiling.

[Kontiki]

Isn't that a muppet?

[Last Conformist]

Nope, it's a neotenous salamander. You, as a neotenous ape, should feel a measure of connection to it.

[Elok]

I'd rather have an atlatl.

[Last Conformist]

I wonder if one can throw axolotls with atlatls ...

[OzzyKP]

It's freaky looking. The website said that this critter is a "backwards step in evolution" how does that make any sense? How does evolution work in reverse?

[Winston]

I think it bears an uncanny resemblance to Yassir Arafat.

[Japher]

I'd rather have a Quetzalcoatl

[Last Conformist]

Originally posted by OzzyKP
It's freaky looking. The website said that this critter is a "backwards step in evolution" how does that make any sense? How does evolution work in reverse?

My guess is that they're presupposing some version of Haeckel's Law, which says that an organism under its development recapitulates the evolutionary history. Thus, a neotenous species would revert to the morphology of its distant ancestors.

The problem with this can be succintly stated: Haeckel's Law is wrong.

(Neoteny, in case you don't know, is the retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood - the axolotl is neotenous because it retains larval morphology such as gills during its whole life. A less drastic example is the adult human skull, which is, when you compensate for raw size, more similar to juvenile than adult chimp skulls.)

[Gangerolf]

KILL IT

[Illur]

[Arrian]

Nuke it from orbit, it's the only way to be sure.

I mean, look at that insidious smile on its face. It's gotta be evil. It's clearly a Finnish plot.

-Arrian

[Last Conformist]

Originally posted by Arrian
Nuke it from orbit, it's the only way to be sure.

It lives in the waterways in and around Mexico City.

[Arrian]

Sorry, Master Zen.

Go to DEFCON 1

-Arrian