The quick answer: The scientific name for axolotl is Ambystoma mexicanum.

Let me show you what that means and how to say it!

How To Say The Scientific Name

Ambystoma mexicanum sounds like this:

am-bee-STO-mah mex-ih-CAN-um

Say it slow: Am… bee… STO… mah… mex… ih… CAN… um.

Now say it fast: am-bee-STO-mah mex-ih-CAN-um!

Pretty cool, right?

What Does The Scientific Name Mean?

Let’s break it into two parts:

Ambystoma (The First Part)

“Ambystoma” is the family name. It’s like your last name that you share with your family.

All salamanders that are related to axolotls have this name. They’re all part of the Ambystoma family.

Think of it like this:

• Your family might be the “Smith” family
• Axolotls are part of the “Ambystoma” family

Mexicanum (The Second Part)

“Mexicanum” means “from Mexico.”

Axolotls only live in Mexico. They come from lakes near Mexico City.

So “mexicanum” just tells us where these little guys are from!

Why Do Animals Have Scientific Names?

Good question! Here’s why:

Everyone Around The World Uses The Same Name

In English, we call them “axolotls.”

In Spanish, they might call them “ajolote.”

But EVERYONE scientists in Japan, Mexico, France, America all use the same scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum.

This way, nobody gets confused about which animal we’re talking about.

It Tells Us What Family They Belong To

When you see “Ambystoma,” you know it’s a mole salamander.

When you see “mexicanum,” you know it’s from Mexico.

The name tells you important stuff about the animal!

What Does “Axolotl” Mean?

The word “axolotl” is NOT the scientific name. It’s the common name (the name regular people use).

“Axolotl” comes from an old language called Nahuatl that the Aztec people spoke.

It means “water dog” or “water monster.”

Pretty cool name for a water animal, right?

Other Names For Axolotls

Axolotls have lots of names:

Scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum (what scientists call them)

Common name: Axolotl (what most people say)

Spanish name: Ajolote (what people in Mexico say)

Nickname: Mexican walking fish (but this is WRONG they’re not fish!)

Nickname: Water dragon (because they look like tiny dragons)

All these names talk about the same animal!

Why “Mexican Walking Fish” Is Wrong

Some people call axolotls “Mexican walking fish.“

This is totally wrong! Here’s why:

Fish have:

• Scales
• Fins
• Live in water their whole life
• Can’t walk

Axolotls have:

• No scales (smooth skin)
• Legs with toes
• Can walk on the bottom
• Are salamanders (amphibians)

So axolotls are NOT fish. They’re salamanders!

Are All Axolotls Called Ambystoma Mexicanum?

Yes! Every single axolotl has this scientific name.

Whether your axolotl is:

• Pink
• White
• Black
• Gold
• Big
• Small

They’re ALL Ambystoma mexicanum.

The color doesn’t change the scientific name.

Other Animals In The Ambystoma Family

Remember how “Ambystoma“ is the family name?

Here are some cousins in the same family:

Tiger salamander: Ambystoma tigrinum
Spotted salamander: Ambystoma maculatum
Blue spotted salamander: Ambystoma laterale

See? They all start with gggggg because they’re all related!

Axolotls and tiger salamanders are super close cousins. They’re almost like brothers and sisters.

Fun Facts About The Scientific Name

It Was Named A Long Time Ago

Scientists gave axolotls this name way back in 1798. That’s over 200 years ago!

The Name Never Changes

Even though we learn new stuff about axolotls all the time, the scientific name stays the same.

Ambystoma mexicanum will ALWAYS be their name.

You Can Impress Your Friends

Next time someone asks “what kind of animal is that?” you can say:

“That’s an axolotl! Its scientific name is Ambystoma mexicanum!”

You’ll sound super smart!

How To Remember The Scientific Name

Here’s a trick to remember it:

Am-BEE-sto-mah – Think of a BEE in your stomach (bee-sto-mah)

Mex-ih-CAN-um – Think of “I CAN” go to Mexico (Mex-ih-CAN-um)

Say it 5 times:

1. Ambystoma mexicanum
2. Ambystoma mexicanum
3. Ambystoma mexicanum
4. Ambystoma mexicanum
5. Ambystoma mexicanum

Now you’ve got it!

The Bottom Line

What’s the scientific name for axolotl? Ambystoma mexicanum

How do you say it? am-bee-STO-mah mex-ih-CAN-um

What does it mean? Ambystoma = the salamander family Mexicanum = from Mexico

Is it the only name? No! People also call them axolotls, ajolotes, or water dragons. But Ambystoma mexicanum is the official science name.

Now you know the scientific name AND what it means. Pretty cool, right?

Next time you see an axolotl, you can tell everyone its fancy scientific name!

Can you say Ambystoma mexicanum? Practice in the comments!

Quick Facts

Scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum

How to say it: am-bee-STO-mah mex-ih-CAN-um

What it means: A salamander from Mexico

Common name: Axolotl

Easy Questions

Why do axolotls have two names?
The scientific name (Ambystoma mexicanum) is for scientists. The common name (axolotl) is for everyone else.

Is axolotl the scientific name?
No. Axolotl is the common name. The scientific name is Ambystoma mexicanum.

How do you spell the scientific name?
A-M-B-Y-S-T-O-M-A M-E-X-I-C-A-N-U-M

Are axolotls really from Mexico?
Yes! That’s what “mexicanum” means – from Mexico.

Can I just call it an axolotl?
Yes! Most people use the common name axolotl. The scientific name is for when you want to be super specific.

Do baby axolotls have the same scientific name as adults?
Yes! All axolotls are Ambystoma mexicanum no matter how old or big they are.

What family are axolotls in?
The Ambystomatidae family (mole salamanders).

Is a tiger salamander an axolotl?
No, but they’re close cousins! Tiger salamanders are Ambystoma tigrinum. Axolotls are Ambystoma mexicanum.