so the mexican salamander is a what kind of salamanders

The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a type of mole salamander, which belongs to the family Ambystomatidae. Axolotls are particularly unique not only within their family but also among all salamanders due to several reasons:

1. Neoteny: They retain juvenile features such as external gills and neotenic caudal fins throughout their adult life, a feature called neoteny.

2. Regenerative Powers: Axolotls possess exceptional regenerative abilities, allowing them to regenerate tissues, limbs, parts of their heart, spinal cord, and other organs.

3. Aquatic Lifestyle: Unlike many ambystomatid salamanders that lead both an aquatic larval stage and terrestrial adult life stages, axolotls are completely aquatic throughout their entire lives.

4. Endemic Range: Their natural habitat is limited to a few lakes and canals in and around Mexico City, which sets them apart from the wide-ranging habitats of other Ambystoma species.

So while they fall under the same family as mole salamanders, axolotls have adapted to occupy a distinct ecological niche and exhibit unique traits that distinguish them among their relatives.