What is Lake Xochimilco and axolotl? The unique landmark celebrated in Google Doodle
The Google Doodle has celebrated diverse figures like photographer Corky Lee to German actress Renate Krößner recently, and now it's turned its attention to something entirely different. Today (May 20), it’s all about a rare animal and its natural habitat, with the search engine launching a new initiative with an interactive doodle. Lake Xochimilco in Mexico and the rare axolotl are being celebrated today, with Google shedding light on the exotic animal and effort to protect it. The axolotl is a species of salamander which is paedomorphic – retaining its juvenile features as an adult. Its closest relative is the tiger salamander, and the rare special can only be found in very specific places around the world. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter One of them is Lake Xochimilco. Google’s description reads: “Today’s interactive Doodle celebrates Lake Xochimilco, a natural lake near Mexico City that is the last remaining native habitat for axolotls in the world (cousins of the salamander). “The lake was once home to the ancient Aztec civilization during the 15th century, and eventually landowners in the colonial period took over occupation of the lake. On this day in 1920, the Mexican government returned Lake Xochimilco back to the locals. Lake Xochimilco now serves as a recreational site, cultural attraction, and home to the rare axolotl species.” It continues: “Due to Lake Xochimilco’s unique landscape, local farmers adopted the ancient chinampa farming method, which involves artificial floating gardens. These chinamperos (or farmers) grow hundreds of different aquatic plants, from common vegetables to medicinal herbs, in the nutrient-rich soil. It’s also a popular destination for rowing and kayaking — cruising on colorful, wooden boats called trijaneras is an essential pastime on the lake. “Lake Xochimilco is also currently the last remaining native habitat on Earth for axolotls, fresh-water salamanders that live in the water instead of on land. Their mouths are permanently upturned into a slight smile, and they can regenerate limbs, gills, and even parts of their eyes and brains! Unfortunately, these delicate creatures were listed as a critically endangered species in 2008.” “Legend has it that their namesake — the Aztec god of fire and lightning, Xolotl — disguised himself as a salamander to avoid sacrifice. The axolotl is so culturally revered in Mexico that the Bank of Mexico added the salamander to the country’s 50-peso bill in 2021. “Today, many are working to protect Lake Xochimilco after years of pollution, invasive species, man-made disturbances, and other obstacles have harmed the axolotl ecosystem. Local chinamperos have been actively restoring their lands with better fertilizers and water filters to preserve these creatures that have become an integral part of their identity and way of life.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
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New Duggar docuseries 'exposes the truth' about the reality family
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Mets' exciting walk-off win proved what they need to do to win NL East
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Warriors and Bob Myers are not close on contract extension
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Why Mark Vientos' call-up is too little, too late for Mets
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Kaitlan Collins to anchor new 9 p.m. show on CNN
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Martin Roberts gets 'spanking therapy' from Love Island star as part of 'detox'
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1970-01-01 08:00
US student suspended for filming teacher using racial slur
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Dan Walker compared to Alan Partridge for question about an 11-year-old with a knife
It just shows how well observed Steve Coogan’s comedy character Alan Partridge is, when time after time broadcasters and pundits continue to accidentally resemble North Norfolk’s finest DJ. We have Dan Walker to thank for an instant classic “accidental Partridge” moment, when the host asked a question about an 11-year-old with a knife which has sent social media into hysterics. The Channel 5 news reader posed a question to his followers on Twitter which left most people baffled – and bore more than a passing resemblance to something Partridge would ask on his radio phone-ins. “If an 11-year-old is brandishing a knife… is it ok to taser them?” Walker wrote. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Not only did it remind us of a classic viral video, but it also had people reacting in their droves online. “Sorry, is this an actual live situation you’re in?” one asked, to which Walker replied: “Thankfully not Bruce.” Another joked: “What kind of sandwich are they making?” “Let them butter their toast first,” one more said. The tweet was seemingly in relation to an incident which took place earlier this week. The police watchdog is investigating after an 11-year-old boy holding a knife was tasered during a stand-off at a holiday park. Police were called to reports of a disturbance at Craig Tara Caravan Park near Ayr at about 11.15pm on Wednesday March 22. Walker isn’t the only one to have been compared to Partridge over recent weeks. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was compared to him after discussing his favourite band… The Beatles. The PM was asked to name his favourite musical group, and he told GB News reporter Darren McCaffrey that his favourite band was the fab four. In one telling scene from I’m Alan Partridge, the Norwich-based radio DJ is asked what his favourite Beatles album is. “Tough one. I think I’d have to say the best of the Beatles,” he replies. The beef between Mick Lynch and Richard Madeley also recently took another development after the union boss said the presenter should be cast in an “Alan Partridge pantomime” – referring to his frequent Partridge-isms on air. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00
Mae Muller mocks how low she placed at Eurovision with hilarious TikTok
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1970-01-01 08:00
Why Vin Diesel showed up to the Fast X premiere with a Bluetooth speaker
Stars took to the red carpet at last night's glamourous Fast X Mexico City premiere, but one moment that left fans scratching their heads was Vin Diesel turning up with a Bluetooth speaker. Instead of answering questions for reporters, the actor took out his speaker and began blasting a song from the film's soundtrack, 'Angel Part 1'. The collaboration between BTS member Jimin, rapper Kodak Black, and singer, JVKE, is due for release on 18 May, a day before the film is released. When the song was done, the actor simply smiled and walked away, speaker in hand. Click here to sign up for our newsletters
1970-01-01 08:00
Crash Bandicoot team post moving tribute to 'incredible man' who voiced the character
Brendan O'Brien, who provided a number of the original voices on the Crash Bandicoot games, has died at the age of 60. O’Brien was a voice actor who worked on the classic franchise in the 1990s. He was responsible for voicing the characters of Crash Bandicoot, N.Gin, Dr Neo Cortex, Dr Nitrus Brio, and Tiny Tiger. He was involved in all three of the first three games before Scott Whyte took over as the voice of Crash from the release of Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter A post on Legacy.com shared by the official Crash Bandicoot Twitter account stated that O’Brien died on 23 March, although a cause of death has yet to be confirmed. The post reads: "Sharing our sincere condolences to Brendan O’Brien’s loved ones for his passing," their tweet read. "He was an incredible talent who brought Crash Bandicoot and other Crash characters to life. He will forever live on in the hearts of Crash fans." A tribute to O’Brien’s time working on the gaming franchise reads: “One of his proudest moments was coming up with the original voices for the Crash Bandicoot video games during the Naughty Dog years of 1996 to 2004. "He encouraged nostalgic Crash fans in their own pursuits and loved signing their memorabilia. Like music, designing character voices for animation, radio and video games came naturally to him.” The first Crash Bandicoot game was released in 1996 and would go on to be remembered as one of the quintessential games of the time. Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back came in 1997 and Crash Bandicoot: Warped was released in 1998. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
1970-01-01 08:00