iStockPhoto/Getty Images (axolotl)

Ancient. Adored. Endangered.

Axolotls are more popular—and in deeper trouble—than ever before.

By Lauren Tarshis

From the November 2024 Issue

Learning Objective: to synthesize key ideas from a nonfiction article and an infographic

Lexiles: 1000L, 860L

Featured Skill: Synthesis,

Other Key Skills: cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, text features, key ideas and details, critical thinking

Listen to this story read aloud.

Ancient. Adored. Endangered.

Axolotls seem to be everywhere—from your favorite video games to your TikTok feed. But in their native habitat in Mexico, these beloved creatures are disappearing. Here’s how scientists and farmers are teaming up to try to bring these precious creatures back from the brink.

By Lauren Tarshis

Who doesn’t love an axolotl (AK-suh-lah-tuhl)? Their sweet faces and frilly gills have made these adorable amphibians popular pets and social media stars. And lately, they seem to be everywhere.

On TikTok, axolotl videos have earned billions of views. In Minecraft, boxy cartoon axolotls battle underwater enemies. At Build-A-Bear stores, little kids can dress plush axolotls in sparkling outfits. Last year, axolotls defeated zebras and sea otters to become a Girl Scout mascot.

But the axolotl is more than just the latest animal fad. For centuries, the creature has been a cherished part of Mexican culture. The ancient Aztecs—an indigenous people of central Mexico—believed the creatures were magical. It’s easy to understand why. Axolotls have the unique ability to regenerate, or regrow, many parts of their bodies, including their limbs, tails, spinal cords, and even parts of their hearts.

“Axolotls are an icon for Mexican people,” says Diana Laura Vázquez Mendoza, a scientist with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). “We can see our country’s history through the history of axolotls.”

Stroll through Mexico City today, and you’ll find axolotl murals emblazoned on buildings. At parades, giant axolotl floats wind through city streets, cheered on by crowds of adoring fans. When Mexico City was choosing an official emoji, the axolotl was the natural choice.

Who doesn’t love an axolotl (AK-suh-lah-tuhl)? These adorable amphibians have become popular pets and social media stars. And lately, they seem to be everywhere.

On TikTok, axolotl videos have earned billions of views. In Minecraft, cartoon axolotls battle underwater enemies. At Build-A-Bear stores, little kids can dress toy axolotls in fun outfits. Last year, axolotls became a Girl Scout mascot.

But the axolotl is more than just a fad. For centuries, the creature has been a cherished part of Mexican culture. The ancient Aztecs were an indigenous people of central Mexico. They believed that the creatures were magical. It’s easy to understand why. Axolotls can regenerate, or regrow, many parts of their bodies. They can regrow limbs, tails, spinal cords, and parts of their hearts.

“Axolotls are an icon for Mexican people,” says Diana Laura Vázquez Mendoza. She is a scientist with the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). “We can see our country’s history through the history of axolotls.”

In Mexico City today, you’ll see axolotl murals on buildings. At parades, crowds cheer for axolotl floats. Mexico City chose the axolotl as its official emoji.

A Polluted Maze

But there is a tragic twist to the story of this ancient and beloved creature. For hundreds of years, axolotls thrived in the lakes and canals surrounding what was once the capital of the Aztec empire.

That area is now Mexico City, home to 22 million people. As the city has grown, the lakes have been drained and filled in to make room for buildings, roads, and houses. Today all that’s left of the axolotl’s native habitat is a maze of polluted canals that crisscross Lake Xochimilco (soh-chee-MEEL-koh)

Axolotls that aren’t poisoned by the chemicals or human waste in the canals are gobbled up by fish—mostly carp and tilapia—that were dumped into the water in the 1970s and 1980s. The government meant for these big fish to help fishers and to provide nutritious food for local people. But the hungry fish damaged the ecology of the lake by preying on axolotls and other creatures.

For years, it was known that wild axolotls were in trouble. It wasn’t until the early 2000s, however, that it became clear just how dire the situation was. That’s when the Mexican government asked Dr. Luis Zambrano, an ecologist at UNAM, to find out how many axolotls were left in the lake. Zambrano, who had been studying the effects of the invasive carp in the area, knew that the numbers were likely to be low. After his study, he discovered they were disastrous.

“The population was going down really fast,” Zambrano says. “The probability of extinction was really, really high.”

Zambrano knew he had to act.

But there is a tragic twist to this story. For hundreds of years, axolotls thrived in the lakes and canals surrounding what was the capital of the Aztec empire.

That area is now Mexico City. It is home to 22 million people. As the city grew, the lakes were drained and filled in. Buildings, roads, and houses were built. Today the axolotl’s native habitat is a maze of polluted canals that crisscross Lake Xochimilco (soh-chee-MEEL-koh).

Chemicals and human waste in the canals poison many axolotls. Others are eaten by fish—mostly carp and tilapia, which were dumped into the water in the 1970s and 1980s. The government meant for these big fish to help fishers and to provide nutritious food for local people. But the fish damaged the ecology of the lake by eating axolotls and other creatures.

In the early 2000s, it became clear how serious the situation was for the axolotls. That’s when the Mexican government asked Dr. Luis Zambrano to find out how many were left in the lake. Zambrano is an ecologist at UNAM. He had been studying the effects of the invasive carp in the area. He assumed that the numbers for axolotls were low. He discovered that they were disastrous.

“The population was going down really fast,” Zambrano says. “The probability of extinction was really, really high.”

Zambrano knew he had to act.

An Ambitious Plan

Jane Burton/NPL/Minden Pictures (pink axolotl)

Wild axolotls are brown or black. Pink axolotls are found only in captivity. Nearly all axolotls in captivity today are the descendants of a small group that was taken from Mexico City to Paris, France, in the 1860s.

Today axolotls are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Nobody knows exactly how many are left in the wild—estimates range from 50 to 1,000.

But there are hundreds of thousands of them in captivity. Many of them live in home aquariums around the world. Many more are living in laboratories, where scientists use them for researching new medicines.

Could these captive axolotls simply be let loose in Lake Xochimilco?

Unfortunately, no.

No axolotls—wild or captive-born—can survive the poisons and predators lurking in the lake. “In order to conserve a species, we have to conserve the habitat in which that species evolved,” Zambrano explains.

So Zambrano developed an ambitious plan to restore parts of Lake Xochimilco to create protected areas where the axolotl can once again thrive. The goal is to return some of the lake to the way it was centuries ago, when Mexico was the land of the Aztecs.

Also known as the Mexica people, the Aztecs ruled over central Mexico from about 1300 until 1521. In that time, they built a powerful empire. Their kings ruled from the capital city of Tenochtitlán (tay-nawch-TEE-tlan), located where Mexico City is today. Back then, thousands of square miles were covered with lakes, marshes, and swamps. Tenochtitlán was built on an island in the middle of the largest lake.

Today axolotls are critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Nobody knows how many are left in the wild. Estimates range from 50 to 1,000.

But there are hundreds of thousands of them in captivity. Many of them live in home aquariums. Many more are living in laboratories. Scientists use them for research.

Could these captive axolotls simply be let loose in Lake Xochimilco?

Unfortunately, no.

So Zambrano created a plan to restore parts of Lake Xochimilco. Those parts would be protected. Then the axolotl could thrive again. The goal is to return some of the lake to the way it was centuries ago, when Mexico was the land of the Aztecs.

The Aztecs, also known as the Mexica people, ruled over central Mexico from about 1300 until 1521. They built a powerful empire. Their kings ruled from the capital city of Tenochtitlán (tay-nawch-TEE-tlan). It was located where Mexico City is today. Back then, the area was covered with lakes, marshes, and swamps. Tenochtitlán was built on an island in the middle of the largest lake.

Gleaming Palaces

By the mid-1400s, Tenochtitlán was one of the most vibrant cities in the world. It was bigger than London and richer than Paris, with gleaming palaces and soaring pyramids honoring the Aztec gods.

There was little land for growing food on this island city. So Aztec engineers came up with an ingenious solution. They constructed a vast system of large, floating gardens in the shallow lake waters around the center of the city. The floating gardens were called chinampas, and they had never been used before on such a large scale. Constructed out of lake mud, logs, rotting leaves, and woven reeds, each chinampa was about the size of a basketball court. Neat rows of chinampas spread out for miles. Farmers would reach them by canoe.

The chinampa system enabled the Aztecs to grow dozens of different vegetables, fruits, and grains to feed their growing population. The waters around the chinampas were filled with marine life. There were small fish and frogs, hard-shelled mollusks, and a large salamander with seemingly magical qualities: the axolotl.

The Aztecs named the creature after Xolotl (sho-LOHT), the god of fire and lightning. In Aztec legends, Xolotl has the power to transform into an amphibian to escape his enemies. The Aztecs believed that axolotls carried the spirit of Xolotl.

For hundreds of years, the axolotl thrived alongside the Aztecs. But in 1519, the world of central Mexico suddenly changed and the axolotl found itself facing a grave threat.

By the mid-1400s, Tenochtitlán was one of the most vibrant cities in the world. It was bigger than London and richer than Paris. It had gleaming palaces and soaring pyramids honoring the Aztec gods.

But there was little land for growing food on this island city. So Aztec engineers came up with a clever solution. They built a huge system of floating gardens in the lake waters around the center of the city. The floating gardens were called chinampas. They were built using mud, logs, rotting leaves, and woven reeds. Each chinampa was about the size of a basketball court. Rows of chinampas spread out for miles. Farmers reached them by canoe.

The chinampa system allowed the Aztecs to grow dozens of different vegetables, fruits, and grains. The waters around the chinampas were filled with marine life. There were small fish and frogs, hard-shelled mollusks, and a large salamander with seemingly magical qualities: the axolotl.

The Aztecs named the creature after Xolotl (sho-LOHT), the god of fire and lightning. In Aztec legends, Xolotl can turn into an amphibian to escape his enemies. The Aztecs believed that axolotls carried the spirit of Xolotl.

For hundreds of years, the axolotl thrived alongside the Aztecs. But in 1519, the world of central Mexico suddenly changed. And the axolotl found itself facing a grave threat.

Axolotl Sanctuaries

1519 was the year that Spanish invaders, led by explorer Hernán Cortés, arrived in central Mexico. Cortés’s troops joined forces with hundreds of thousands of Indigenous warriors who were enemies of the Aztecs. Within months, the Spanish had taken over the Aztec capital. Looted, burned, and battered by war, the great city of Tenochtitlán eventually fell into ruin.

Spanish rule ended in 1821 when Mexico became an independent country. Today many Mexicans celebrate the accomplishments and culture of their Indigenous ancestors. But in Mexico City, only a few crumbling remnants of the great Aztec empire remain. And like the gleaming palaces and towering pyramids, the chinampas system of farming has gradually disappeared.

The vast majority of the floating gardens have been abandoned. And some that remain in use are farmed using chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which pollute the water.

Zambrano is hoping to change this. He and his team at UNAM are helping local farmers restore the chinampas and return to the natural farming methods of the Aztecs.

This, he believes, is the key to bringing back wild axolotls.

So far, 28 farmers have joined the effort. These farmers are growing crops on chinampas without pesticides. They’re also planting native grasses and plants that naturally filter the water, keeping it clean. Mesh grates have also been installed around the floating gardens to keep carp and tilapia out.

Zambrano’s hope is that these cleaner, more protected areas around the chinampas can be axolotl sanctuaries—small areas of safety within the dangerous and poisonous waters of Lake Xochimilco.

Last year, Zambrano’s team put the idea to the test. They released 12 captive-born axolotls into one of the chinampa sanctuaries. Months later, all but one were still thriving.

Today the program continues to grow. Zambrano is hopeful, though he knows it will be a slow process. Bringing the wild axolotl back is not like playing a quick game of Minecraft. It will take time. But if the effort is successful, everyone will win: the axolotl, the farmers and people of Mexico, and all of us who admire one of the world’s most unique creatures.

In 1519, Spanish invaders arrived in central Mexico. They were led by explorer Hernán Cortés. His troops joined forces with hundreds of thousands of Indigenous warriors who were enemies of the Aztecs. Within months, the Spanish had taken over the Aztec capital. Looted, burned, and battered by war, the great city of Tenochtitlán eventually fell into ruin.

Spanish rule ended in 1821. Mexico became an independent country. Today many Mexicans celebrate the accomplishments and culture of their Indigenous ancestors. But in Mexico City, only a few crumbling remnants of the great Aztec empire remain.

The vast majority of the floating gardens have been abandoned. Some that are still used are farmed with chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which pollute the water.

Zambrano hopes to change this. He and his team at UNAM are working with local farmers. They are helping them restore the chinampas and return to the natural farming methods of the Aztecs.

This, he believes, is the key to bringing back wild axolotls.

So far, 28 farmers have joined the effort. These farmers grow crops on chinampas without pesticides. They also plant native grasses and plants that naturally filter the water, keeping it clean. Mesh grates around the floating gardens keep carp and tilapia out.

Zambrano’s hope is that these cleaner areas around the chinampas can be axolotl sanctuaries—small areas of safety within the dangerous and poisonous waters of Lake Xochimilco.

Last year, Zambrano’s team put the idea to the test. They released 12 captive-born axolotls into one of the chinampa sanctuaries. Months later, all but one were still thriving.

Today the program continues to grow. Zambrano knows it will be a slow process. Bringing the wild axolotl back is not like playing a quick game of Minecraft. It will take time. But if the effort is successful, everyone will win: the axolotl, the farmers and people of Mexico, and all of us who admire one of the world’s most unique creatures.

Adopt an Axolotl

Epic Games (Fortnite)

Axolotls have exploded in popularity. Top axolotl Instagram accounts have tens of thousands of followers. Axolotl YouTube videos get millions of views. Video games, including Fortnite and Minecraft, have axolotl characters.

The researchers at UNAM working to save wild axolotls are hoping to benefit from this fame with their “Adopt an Axolotl” program. Through the program, people pay to choose an axolotl, name it, and receive a certificate with their axolotl’s photo. The money is then used to help pay for UNAM’s efforts to restore the axolotl’s habitat in Mexico.

Adopt an Axolotl

Epic Games (Fortnite)

All About Axolotls

These photogenic amphibians are much more than pop culture icons. They’re precious and important creatures that need our help.

By the Numbers

Wild axolotls have inhabited Mexico for 10,000 YEARS.

It is illegal to have an axolotl as a pet in 3 U.S. STATES.

Around the world, there are roughly 1 MILLION axolotls in labs and home aquariums.

Scientists estimate that between 50 AND 1,000 axolotls remain in the wild.

Wild axolotls have inhabited Mexico for 10,000 YEARS.

It is illegal to have an axolotl as a pet in 3 U.S. STATES.

Around the world, there are roughly 1 MILLION axolotls in labs and home aquariums.

Scientists estimate that between 50 AND 1,000 axolotls remain in the wild.

Did You Know?

Most amphibians live in water as babies and on land when they get older. But the axolotl spends its whole life in water. In the indigenous language of Nahuatl, axolotl means “water monster.”

Important Facts!

These feathery gills help axolotls breathe underwater.
Axolotls help keep their ecosystem in balance by eating smaller species, like worms, insect larvae, and small fish.
Axolotls are sensitive to pollution and changes in water temperature. If axolotls in a body of water are healthy, scientists can assume that the water is in good condition.

These feathery gills help axolotls breathe underwater.
Axolotls help keep their ecosystem in balance by eating smaller species, like worms, insect larvae, and small fish.
Axolotls are sensitive to pollution and changes in water temperature. If axolotls in a body of water are healthy, scientists can assume that the water is in good condition.

Celebrity Status: Axolotls Are Everywhere.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Clips of axolotls on TikTok and YouTube get millions of views.

VIDEO GAMES
Fortnite, Pokémon, and Minecraft all have axolotl characters.

MONEY
In 2021, Mexico put an axolotl on the 50-peso bill.

Writing Prompt

Axolotls have been described as being both everywhere and nowhere. Write a well-organized paragraph explaining what this means. Use information from both texts to support your answer.

Writing Prompt

Axolotls have been described as being both everywhere and nowhere. Write a well-organized paragraph explaining what this means. Use information from both texts to support your answer.

^{This article was originally published in the November 2024 issue.}

video (1)

Audio ()

Activities (7)

Quizzes (1)

Answer Key (1)

video (1)

Audio ()

Activities (7)

Quizzes (1)

Answer Key (1)

Essential Questions: Why do certain animals become popular? How do humans impact the environment? How can humans live in balance with nature?

1. Prepare to Read

(20 minutes)

Preview Vocabulary (10 minutes)

Project the Google Slides version of Vocabulary: Definitions and Practice on your whiteboard. Review the definitions and complete the activity as a class. Highlighted words: conserve, ecology, habitat, indigenous, invasive, pesticides. Audio pronunciations of the words and a read-aloud of the definitions are embedded on the slides. Optionally, print the PDF version or share the slideshow link to your LMS and have students preview the words and complete the activity independently before class.

Watch a Video (10 minutes)

Introduce the topic of the articles students are about to read by showing them the video “Mexico City and Its Ancient Salamanders.” Have students respond to the Video Discussion Questions (available in your Resources tab) in small groups or pairs.

2. Read and Discuss

(45 minutes)

“Ancient. Adored. Endangered.”

Read the article once as a class. (Differentiation: Share the lower-Lexile version of the article.) Optionally, have students listen to the audio read-aloud of the article while they follow along. The audio read-aloud is located in the Resources tab in Teacher View and at the top of the story page in Student View.

Divide students into groups to read the article again and respond to the following Discussion Questions, also located in the Resources tab.

Read the article once as a class. (Differentiation: Share the lower-Lexile version of the article.) Optionally, have students listen to the audio read-aloud of the article while they follow along. The audio read-aloud is located in the Resources tab in Teacher View and at the top of the story page in Student View.

Divide students into groups to read the article again and respond to the following Discussion Questions, also located in the Resources tab.

Discussion Questions (25 minutes)

1. How has Mexico City changed over time? How have these changes affected axolotls? (cause and effect) As the population of Mexico City has grown, lakes have been drained and filled in to make room for buildings, roads, and houses. Lake Xochimilco, which used to be home to wild axolotls, is now polluted, full of poisonous chemicals and human waste. The ecology of the lake has also been damaged by the Mexican government, which filled it with carp and tilapia to help fishers. These invasive fish prey on axolotls. What used to be a vast network of lakes and wetlands has been reduced to a few bodies of polluted water. As a result, axolotls are unable to survive in their natural habitat and they are now critically endangered.

2. Mexico City and the ancient city of Tenochtitlán had similar problems—both needed to find a way to feed a growing population. How did each city solve this problem? Which city came up with a better solution? (compare and contrast) In Tenochtitlán, the Aztecs constructed a vast system of large floating gardens, called chinampas, in the lakes around the center of the city. This system enabled the Aztecs to grow dozens of different kinds of vegetables, fruits, and grains, while still allowing the marine life in the surrounding water to thrive. The Aztecs figured out a way to live in harmony with the land. In Mexico City, on the other hand, people opted to change the land. They reduced the size of the wetlands and added invasive fish to the waters. The vast majority of the floating gardens have been abandoned, and some that remain in use are farmed using chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which pollute the water. Considering how Mexico City has damaged the ecosystem, you can conclude that Tenochtitlán had the better solution.

3. How are people trying to help restore the wild axolotl population? (problem and solution) To help the wild axolotl population, people are working to restore parts of Lake Xochimilco and create sanctuaries where axolotls can once again thrive. Ecologist Luis Zambrano is trying to help local farmers restore chinampas and return to natural farming methods that do not pollute the waters. People are also planting native grasses and plants to naturally filter the water, and people have installed mesh grates around the floating gardens to keep invasive carp and tilapia out.

4. What does the sidebar “The Valley of Mexico: Then & Now” add to the article? (text features) The sidebar helps readers understand how drastically the landscape of what is now Mexico City has changed over time. It emphasizes that the actions of humans can impact the environment in major ways, and helps us understand the negative consequences urban development and climate change can have on species.

1. How has Mexico City changed over time? How have these changes affected axolotls? (cause and effect) As the population of Mexico City has grown, lakes have been drained and filled in to make room for buildings, roads, and houses. Lake Xochimilco, which used to be home to wild axolotls, is now polluted, full of poisonous chemicals and human waste. The ecology of the lake has also been damaged by the Mexican government, which filled it with carp and tilapia to help fishers. These invasive fish prey on axolotls. What used to be a vast network of lakes and wetlands has been reduced to a few bodies of polluted water. As a result, axolotls are unable to survive in their natural habitat and they are now critically endangered.

2. Mexico City and the ancient city of Tenochtitlán had similar problems—both needed to find a way to feed a growing population. How did each city solve this problem? Which city came up with a better solution? (compare and contrast) In Tenochtitlán, the Aztecs constructed a vast system of large floating gardens, called chinampas, in the lakes around the center of the city. This system enabled the Aztecs to grow dozens of different kinds of vegetables, fruits, and grains, while still allowing the marine life in the surrounding water to thrive. The Aztecs figured out a way to live in harmony with the land. In Mexico City, on the other hand, people opted to change the land. They reduced the size of the wetlands and added invasive fish to the waters. The vast majority of the floating gardens have been abandoned, and some that remain in use are farmed using chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which pollute the water. Considering how Mexico City has damaged the ecosystem, you can conclude that Tenochtitlán had the better solution.

3. How are people trying to help restore the wild axolotl population? (problem and solution) To help the wild axolotl population, people are working to restore parts of Lake Xochimilco and create sanctuaries where axolotls can once again thrive. Ecologist Luis Zambrano is trying to help local farmers restore chinampas and return to natural farming methods that do not pollute the waters. People are also planting native grasses and plants to naturally filter the water, and people have installed mesh grates around the floating gardens to keep invasive carp and tilapia out.

4. What does the sidebar “The Valley of Mexico: Then & Now” add to the article? (text features) The sidebar helps readers understand how drastically the landscape of what is now Mexico City has changed over time. It emphasizes that the actions of humans can impact the environment in major ways, and helps us understand the negative consequences urban development and climate change can have on species.

“All About Axolotls”

Break students into groups again to read and discuss the infographic.

As a class, discuss the following Discussion Questions.

Break students into groups again to read and discuss the infographic.

As a class, discuss the following Discussion Questions.

Discussion Questions (10 minutes)

1. Why are so many different groups of people fascinated with axolotls? Refer to both the article and infographic to support your response. (key ideas and details) According to “Ancient. Adored. Endangered.,” the ancient Aztecs believed axolotls had a spiritual connection to Xolotl, the god of fire and lightning, and the axolotl is still celebrated in Mexican culture today. Scientists are also fascinated by axolotls, in particular their ability to regenerate parts of their bodies. The amphibians are being used to research new medicines. As the infographic explains, axolotls are also modern-day celebrities, admired for their appearance, popular in video games, and huge on social media.

2. How is the popularity of axolotls helping the species? (critical thinking) Programs such as the “Adopt an Axolotl” program at UNAM are helping raise money to restore the axolotl’s habitat in Mexico. The popularity of axolotls also helps raise awareness of the issues axolotls face.

3. Many people believe wild animals should not be kept as pets, but roughly 1 million axolotls live in labs and home aquariums. Is it ethical to keep so many axolotls in captivity? (critical thinking) Answers will vary. Some students may say that since axolotls are unable to survive in their natural habitat, it is OK to keep them in captivity. Others may say that we should be doing more to restore and protect the habitats of axolotls so they can return to their natural environments. We should learn from the past not to disrupt ecosystems.

1. Why are so many different groups of people fascinated with axolotls? Refer to both the article and infographic to support your response. (key ideas and details) According to “Ancient. Adored. Endangered.,” the ancient Aztecs believed axolotls had a spiritual connection to Xolotl, the god of fire and lightning, and the axolotl is still celebrated in Mexican culture today. Scientists are also fascinated by axolotls, in particular their ability to regenerate parts of their bodies. The amphibians are being used to research new medicines. As the infographic explains, axolotls are also modern-day celebrities, admired for their appearance, popular in video games, and huge on social media.

3. Write About It: Synthesis

(45 minutes)

Have students complete the Featured Skill Activity: Synthesis. This activity prepares them to respond to the writing prompt on page 16 in the printed magazine and at the bottom of the digital story page:

Axolotls have been described as being both everywhere and nowhere. Write a well-organized paragraph explaining what this means. Use information from both texts to support your answer.

Alternatively, have students choose a task from the Choice Board, a menu of culminating tasks. (Our Choice Board options include the writing prompt from the magazine, differentiated versions of the writing prompt, and additional creative ways for students to demonstrate their understanding of a story or article.)

Axolotls have been described as being both everywhere and nowhere. Write a well-organized paragraph explaining what this means. Use information from both texts to support your answer.

Connected readings from the Scope archives:

For more articles and stories that explore the relationship between humans and the environment and how environmental problems can be solved, check out our Special Collection: Earth Day Every Day.

Text-to-Speech

Ancient. Adored. Endangered.

Ancient. Adored. Endangered.

Axolotls seem to be everywhere—from your favorite video games to your TikTok feed. But in their native habitat in Mexico, these beloved creatures are disappearing. Here’s how scientists and farmers are teaming up to try to bring these precious creatures back from the brink.

By Lauren Tarshis

Adopt an Axolotl

Adopt an Axolotl

All About Axolotls

These photogenic amphibians are much more than pop culture icons. They’re precious and important creatures that need our help.

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

1. Prepare to Read

(20 minutes)

Preview Vocabulary (10 minutes)

Watch a Video (10 minutes)

2. Read and Discuss

(45 minutes)

“Ancient. Adored. Endangered.”

Discussion Questions (25 minutes)

“All About Axolotls”

Discussion Questions (10 minutes)

3. Write About It: Synthesis

(45 minutes)

Connected readings from the Scope archives:

Help/Support

Help/Support

About Us

Subscriber Information

Ancient. Adored. Endangered.

Ancient. Adored. Endangered.

Axolotls seem to be everywhere—from your favorite video games to your TikTok feed. But in their native habitat in Mexico, these beloved creatures are disappearing. Here’s how scientists and farmers are teaming up to try to bring these precious creatures back from the brink.

By Lauren Tarshis

Adopt an Axolotl

Adopt an Axolotl

All About Axolotls

These photogenic amphibians are much more than pop culture icons. They’re precious and important creatures that need our help.

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

1. Prepare to Read

(20 minutes)

Preview Vocabulary (10 minutes)

Watch a Video (10 minutes)

2. Read and Discuss

(45 minutes)

“Ancient. Adored. Endangered.”

Discussion Questions (25 minutes)

“All About Axolotls”

Discussion Questions (10 minutes)

3. Write About It: Synthesis

(45 minutes)

Connected readings from the Scope archives:

Help/Support

Help/Support

About Us

Subscriber Information

Connect with Us