Axolotls, or Ambystoma mexicanum, are the new superstars of the amphibian world. These salamanders are native to a single lake in Mexico City, Lake Xochimilco, and are famous for their smiling appearance and incredible ability to regrow lost body parts. California has fairly strict rules to protect local ecosystems and prevent non-native species from causing havoc. “If released into the wild, axolotls have the potential to easily outcompete already struggling native salamander species, such as the California tiger salamander and the Eastern tiger salamander,” Axolotl Central points out. For those who can legally keep them as pets, they’re considered to...