Mexican axolotl salamander dubbed the 'water monster' faces extinction
Mexican axolotl salamander dubbed the 'water monster' faces extinction
Scientists study the axolotl salamander's ability to regenerate organs
PUBLISHED : Friday, 12 September, 2014, 5:48am
UPDATED : Friday, 12 September, 2014, 5:48am
Dubbed the "water monster" by the Aztecs, the axolotl salamander is battling extinction in the remnants of Mexico City's ancient lake, alarming scientists hoping mankind learns from its ability to regenerate organs.
The creature, whose colours vary from milky white to black and olive green, has survived in the Xochimilco canals since most of the lake was drained over the centuries following the Spanish conquest.
But the weight of the sprawling megacity of 20 million is taking its toll on a species that can also resist cancer and reproduce complex brain tissue.
Researchers have studied the salamander's cells in the hopes of grasping how to regenerate organs and body parts of people suffering from malformations or accidents.
More:
http://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/1590395/mexican-axolotl-salamander-dubbed-water-monster-faces-extinction
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we call them water dogs and from time to time back in the early sixties when we used a bucket to get the water up from the 125 foot well there would be one in there. I caught one while crappie fishing one night, scared the shit out of me for a brief moment. Not sure it was the exact critter but best I can remember they looked just like these.
ETA: at a smaller size, say two to three inch long up to maybe four inches they were good large mouth bass bait too 
especially if they had the red gills protrusions.
ETA: Wiki says these aren't what we called the water dogs. I swear they look the same to me though.