Not all endangered species look fearsome. The axolotl — a permanently-smiling freshwater salamander that regenerates its own limbs and lives only in one Mexican lake — has become one of the internet’s most beloved creatures. The Lake Xochimilco Google Doodle leans into that affection completely, putting you on a brightly painted trajinera boat and sending you out to photograph axolotls hiding in the reeds and chinampas. Released on May 20, 2023, it commemorates the 103rd anniversary of the Mexican government returning Lake Xochimilco to its local community.
Lake Xochimilco sits about 20 kilometres south of Mexico City and was once the heart of the ancient Aztec civilisation. The Aztecs built a remarkable system of artificial floating gardens called chinampas — rectangular plots of fertile land raised above the water using interwoven branches, reeds, and soil — that allowed them to farm intensively in a lake environment. When Spanish colonists arrived in the 15th century, they redirected the lake for their own use, and the ecosystem suffered centuries of disruption. In 1920, the Mexican government formally returned the lake to its indigenous community, and in 1987 UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site.
The lake is now the last remaining native habitat on Earth for the axolotl. These extraordinary creatures—technically aquatic neotenic salamanders that never fully undergo metamorphosis—can regenerate lost limbs, damaged organs, and even portions of their brains and eyes. Their mouths curve permanently upward into a slight smile, giving them an expression of constant mild amusement. Despite their celebrity status online, they were listed as critically endangered in 2008. Pollution, invasive species, and urban drainage have destroyed most of their natural habitat, leaving Xochimilco as their final refuge.
The Doodle was designed by artist Helene Leroux, who traveled to Mexico to research the lake firsthand. The game is a photography adventure: you drift through the canals on a colorful wooden trajinera, scanning the water and vegetation for axolotls that pop up briefly before disappearing again. The challenge is timing — you need to spot them quickly and snap your shot before they vanish. The vibrant visual style captures the real Xochimilco beautifully, right down to the painted trajinera boats that have become one of Mexico City’s most recognisable tourist experiences.
How To Play Lake Xochimilco Doodle
- Click the Doodle to board your trajinera boat and begin gliding through the canals of Lake Xochimilco.
- Watch the water and the vegetation along the edges carefully — axolotls will appear briefly in the reeds, beneath lily pads, or in the shallows.
- Click on an axolotl the moment you spot one to snap a photograph. Timing is key: hesitate too long and they disappear back into the lake.
- Try to photograph as many axolotls as possible before your journey ends. Each successful photo adds to your collection.
- Read the facts that appear between scenes to learn about the axolotl’s remarkable biology and the conservation efforts protecting Lake Xochimilco today.
