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Welcome to MUDKIPZ?!
In this thread I hope to clear up some obvious mistakes people make when reffering to the animal "Mudkip". A 'Mudkip' is a fictional animal, which origonates from the well known 'Pokemon' series. The creature in 'Pokemon' is however based on a living breathing neotenic mole salamander, the Axolotl. The Axolotl's habbitat consists of Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in central Mexico.
Most people have never heard of the Axolotl, but have heard of the common Mudskipper, which has been featured in various adverts over the years. You may have seen a Mudskipper before;
EXIBIT A:
Mudskipper.
Mudskipper.
Axolotl are a very rare species of salamander, and are rarely seen in the flesh. Larvae of this species fail to undergo metamorphosis, so the adults remain aquatic and gilled, so they seem almost ghost-like. Here is a picture of the Axolotl;
EXIBIT B:
Axototl.
Axototl.
As you can see they are very similar to the 'Pokemon' creature 'Mudkip'. Axolotl Axolotls should not be confused with waterdogs, the larval stage of the closely related Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum and Ambystoma mavortium), widespread in much of North America, which also occasionally become neotenic, nor with mudpuppies (Necturus spp.), fully aquatic salamanders which are unrelated to the axolotl but which bear a superficial resemblance.
So far we have come across several animals that come close to the reknowned 'Pokemon' 'Mudkip'. There are many more to show, but i'm sure several veiwers are chanting "Mudkipzz?!!" by now, and have started watching the 'Pokemon' movie.
EXIBIT C:
Pokemon Mudkip.
Pokemon Mudkip.
In 'Pokemon' history and lore, Mudkip, known as the "Mud Fish" species of Pokemon, are featured as one of the selectable starter Pokemon in the third generation of the series. They are small blue Pokémon with a large fin on their head that allows them to sense movements within the air and water, acting as a radar. While in the water, they use the yellow, spiky gills on their cheeks to breathe while using their large tail fin to propel themselves. They are extremely strong, despite their small bodies; they are able to lift large boulders by planting all four feet and heaving, and easily crush them. When it comes time to sleep, they bury themselves within the soil at the edge of the water.
In the anime, Brock obtains a Mudkip at Dewford Island, which later evolves into a Marshtomp.
The real life Axolotl doesn't differ much from 'Mudkip', which leaves me to belive the animal WAS based on it. Axolotls possess features typical of salamander larvae, including external gills and a caudal fin extending from behind the head to the vent. Their heads are wide, and their eyes are lidless. Their limbs are underdeveloped and possess long, thin digits. Males are identified by their swollen cloacas lined with papillae, while females are noticeable for their wider bodies full of eggs. Three pairs of external gill stalks originate behind their heads and are used to move oxygenated water. The external gill rami are lined with filaments to increase surface area for gas exchange. Four gill slits lined with gill rakers are hidden underneath the external gills.
Please compare the two for yourself.
I will now conclude my thread by asking the readers,
"What are your veiws on the Mudkip?"
"Which animal is it based on?"
"What are your veiws on the Mudkip?"
"Which animal is it based on?"
