As our dictionary tells us the word comes from Nahuatl axolotl, water animal. It is a salamander-like amphibian, endemic to Mexico and critically endangered. Scientists call it Ambystoma mexicanum and have begun to study it carefully for its regenerative capacity. Not only is it able to regenerate your tail like our lizards, you also regenerate your legs, eyes, heart, lungs and even the brain. Studying his genome could give clues in regenerative medicine. Scientists at Yale University are on it.
