The Birmingham Zoo has opened a habitat for axolotls, the Mexican amphibian that never leaves the water and can regrow parts of its own body.
A ribbon cutting was held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and the habitat opened to guests the following morning at 9 a.m. The zoo is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An animal that stays young
Axolotls are native to the old waterways of Mexico. They spend their entire lives underwater, keeping the feathery external gills that most amphibians lose on the way to adulthood, and they can regenerate limbs, organs and parts of their brain.
They are also critically endangered in the wild, which is the part of the story the zoo built the exhibit around.
“We are thrilled to welcome guests to this incredible new habitat and introduce them to a species that is as unique as it is inspiring,” said Chris Pfefferkorn, president and CEO of the Birmingham Zoo. “The axolotl’s story of resilience, adaptation, and conservation reflects the mission of the Birmingham Zoo, to connect people with wildlife and inspire action to protect our natural world.”
Paid for by one donor
The habitat exists because of a gift from zoo donor Ann Katholi.
“Axolotls have always fascinated me because they represent both the incredible diversity of life on our planet and the urgent need to protect species before they disappear,” Katholi said. “Their resilience and uniqueness make them unforgettable, and I hope every guest who visits this habitat leaves with a greater appreciation for wildlife and conservation.”
The opening came a week after the Alabama Department of Tourism named the Birmingham Zoo the state’s Attraction of the Year. It is the only zoo in Alabama accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
