Paedomorphosis
When an animal keeps its baby features even when it grows up.
What is it?
Paedomorphosis is when an adult animal still looks like a baby or young form of its species. For example, the Western Lesser Siren keeps its feathery gills and stays in water its whole life, just like a baby salamander. Another famous example is the axolotl, which also keeps its gills as an adult. This happens because the animal's development slows down or stops in some ways.
Why it matters
Paedomorphosis helps scientists understand how evolution works. It also shows that animals can survive and reproduce even if they don't change into an adult form.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more exhibits about paedomorphosis.
