From TikTok to McDonald’s Happy Meals, Mexico’s ancient axolotl is everywhere, except where it is supposed to be—in the wild.

The axolotl is an unusual-looking pet, but it’s the very reason that attracts people to them. They live underwater and have ...

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Legend has it the axolotl was not always an amphibian ... officials have led efforts to save the species and its habitat from extinction, a parallel, unexpected preservation ...

appearing as characters in Minecraft, Fortnite and Pokémon and inspiring a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy. Where the axolotl can barely be found: in its natural habitat in Mexico.

And though biologists, historians and officials have led efforts to save the species and its habitat from extinction, a parallel, unexpected preservation phenomenon has emerged. Axolotl attracted ...