What determines whether an axolotl will grow up to be male or female?

Axolotls have genetic sex-determination - a locus on an axolotl chromosome determines whether an axolotl is male or female.

In salamanders, the sex determining mechanism is referred to as ZZ/ZW and the heterogametic sex is female.

Fun Facts

Where is the axolotl from?

Only a few wild axolotls remain in Lake Xochimilco, Mexico, which is located near Mexico City

While axolotls once lived in Lake Chalco as well, this lake was drained in order to prevent flooding.

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