The axolotl has lizard-like limbs, branching gills protruding from both sides of the head, and a nature-made smile that is unusually cute. The Axolotl is commonly called the “Mexican salamander,” or “Mexican walking fish,” even though the axolotl is not a fish at all, but an amphibian. This species’ fancy headdress is actually the salamander’s gills, which allow the creature to breath under water. The axolotl is large compared to most salamanders, reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length, and weighing up to 8 ounces (225 g). The axolotl is a popular exotic pet on the aquarium circuit. The axolotl is unlike any other salamander in the world, and is a unique pet to display in the home.