"Axolotl" is Aztec and means "water monster." Axolotls are beings of nature and culture: in their native Mexico, they now live in a small area and are threatened with extinction, while in the rest of the world, they are kept as pets in aquariums. Science historian Christian Reiss tells the story of this paradox. He takes readers on a fascinating journey that spans from Mexico to France, Germany, and ultimately around the world. Along the way, readers encounter the great Alexander von Humboldt as well as the forgotten naturalist Marie von Chauvin. They witness the emergence of the aquarium and learn how living animals have changed research in zoology. At the heart of the story are the axolotls and their transformation from a local amphibian species into a global pet.