where do axolotls usually live

Axolotls are native to a specific region in Mexico and have very particular habitat requirements. Here's where they typically live:

1. Native Range: Axolotls are native to a few lakes in the Valley of Mexico, including Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco. These lakes have a complex network of canals and waterways.

2. Habitat Characteristics: The ideal habitat for axolotls is relatively cool, oxygen-rich, and highly aquatic. They thrive in slow-moving or stagnant water with lots of vegetation for cover. The water should have a high mineral content, particularly calcium carbonate.

3. Substrate: In their natural habitats, axolotls often burrow into the muddy or sandy bottom to hide or rest. The substrate helps provide some protection from predators and a place for them to lay eggs.

4. Altitude: The lakes where axolotls are found are located at high altitudes (around 2,240 meters or 7,350 feet above sea level). This contributes to the cooler water temperatures that they prefer.

5. Human Impact: Unfortunately, urbanization, pollution, and habitat destruction have severely impacted axolotl populations in the wild. Their native habitat has been greatly reduced, making them critically endangered.

6. Captive Care: In captivity, axolotls require a carefully maintained environment with clean, dechlorinated water, appropriate temperature, and hiding spots like rocks or plants.

In summary, axolotls are native to specific high-altitude lakes in Mexico with cool, mineral-rich water and abundant vegetation. While they have very specialized habitat requirements in the wild, captive care can mimic these conditions to support their unique needs.