Though it develops legs, it never reaches land, instead spending its time strolling the underwater surface. Its nickname? Walking fish.
This extraordinary creature – which comes in colors ranging from creamy white to olive – is only native to Mexico. Your best chance of seeing one exists near Mexico City in the lakes of Xochimilco.
A population decline is largely attributed to habitat loss, but is also due to the fact that the axolotl is considered a culinary delicacy.