Axolotls in Trouble: How We Can Help Save Them

Welcome back, Discovery Rangers! After learning all about the amazing axolotl and the challenges they face in their home, we're going to become axolotl protectors ourselves by exploring how water quality affects all living things.

The Big Question

How does the "cleanliness" of water affect the creatures that live in it?

What You'll Need

• Clear jars or cups (at least 3)
• Water (tap water is fine)
• Soil, dirt, or sand
• Small leaves or bits of plant material
• Spoon or stick for stirring

Mission Steps

1. Fill Jars. Fill your jars about halfway with water.
2. Add "Pollution". In one jar, add a spoonful of soil or dirt. In another, add a few small leaves or plant bits. Leave the third jar plain for comparison.
3. Stir Gently. Use a spoon or stick to gently stir the contents of the "polluted" jars. Don't make it too messy, just enough to cloud the water.
4. Observe. Watch how the water looks in each jar. What do you see floating or settling? How is the water different in each jar?

Talk About It

• What did you add to the water to make it "polluted"?
• How did the added materials change the water's appearance?
• How might cloudy or dirty water make it harder for an animal like an axolotl to live?

Take It Further

For older Rangers, research different types of water pollution, like chemical runoff from farms or trash in rivers, and how these invisible pollutants might harm aquatic life even if the water looks clear. You can also investigate how scientists test water quality.

FAQ

Q: Is it okay to use water from a pond or stream for this? A: It's best to use tap water from home for safety. You can imagine pond water and what might be in it for the mission. Q: My child added too much dirt! What should we do? A: That's okay! Let the jars sit for a while and see if the dirt settles. You can also carefully pour some of the cloudy water off and refill with clean water to make a new "less polluted" version.