L'Amblystôme / The Axolotl

"The Amblystoma: Curious Salamander From Mexico". Vintage French educational film from 1913 describing the Axolotl. Very impressive footage for the time.

Translation:

"The metamorphosis of the Amblystoma often remains incomplete, in which case it is called the Axolotl, retains its gills and remains aquatic."

"The spawn of these amphibians consists of gelatinous globules, in the heart of each lies an egg."

"First sign of life: the embryo frees itself from the protective mucus."

"Unwebbed feet develop an an age of 3 to 4 months."

"The head is plumed with gills, constantly agitated with the movement of respiration."

"A strange physiognomy whose mouth suggests voracity."

"Movement underwater comes easily."

"An albino variation, captured in a subterranean river."

"These animals feed on live prey, avidly fought over."

"The axolotl only achieves its definitive form if a series of circumstances forces it to live in air. It then loses its gills, breathes with lungs, and acquires the name Amblystoma."

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Ambystoma
• mexicanum
• Axolotl
• 1913

[heavenlyblue1987]

Oh very impressive! I've got four axolotls of my own and appreciate this download though I don't understand french :) Where did you get this piece? Just wondering how did they treat the water in those days? Was there all the water conditioners that there are today.

[alatan108]

@heavenlyblue1987 It is tough to guess how the water was treated, but judging from the clarity I'd say that the french knew at least to keep them very cold!

It is fair to assume that the Axolotls shown here are immediate descendants of Auguste Duméril's original six shipped from Mexico and studied at the Jardin des Plantes. I understand that many, many lab axolotls were bred from that colony, so you might actually be looking at your own pet's ancestors in this film.

[CrazyCinematographe]

@heavenlyblue1987 This 35mm film from 1913 is preserved at CNC - Archives françaises du film, the french national film archive. The uploaded video is from the "Crazy Cinématographe - European Cinema of Attractions 1896-1916" DVD, edited by the luxembourgish film archive (Cinémathèque Luxembourg). For more infos, visit our channel!

[napalmnn]

Quite a video, thanks for uploading it!