Welcome "Thinky Pinky"

by Nicole Ayers, 8th Grade Homeroom

We have a new and rather unique class pet, an axolotl named Thinky Pinky. Axolotls are juvenile salamanders that never transition to adulthood, so they never leave the water. They are critically endangered in the wild but readily available in captivity for scientific research and aquarium hobbyists alike. Also, they are super cute:

Students requested an axolotl for a class pet over the summer and spent a great deal of time researching proper husbandry. They are challenging pets to keep because they require cold water (60-65F), which poses an engineering challenge. We solved this problem with a temperature controller, aquarium fan, and bottles of ice. Axolotls also require fine sand or bare-bottom tanks as to not ingest gravel or small pebbles. We started the tank setup process in August and allowed a full three months to establish the nitrogen cycle, waiting for a healthy bacterial colony to become established so that harmful ammonia could be converted to nitrite (also harmful) and then to nitrate (not as bad, and easy to remove with water changes). Students performed regular water tests and water changes, waiting for just the right conditions for our new friend.

By November, the water was ready for our axolotl. We ordered a Leucistic morph from a reputable breeder online. This variety is white with pink gills, and we wanted the pink type. Why pink? Of the many varieties of axolotls, this is arguably one of the cutest. Plus, we had already named our soon-coming pet after one of our favorite characters from the Khan Academy growth mindset lessons, Thinky Pinky. At the beginning of every school year we do a series of short growth mindset lessons, and Thinky Pinky helps students understand that they can learn anything with the proper mindset.

Once the order was placed, we eagerly tracked the shipping updates until we got an upsetting update:

Your item was returned to the sender on November 10, 2021 at 8:44 am in SHREVEPORT, LA 71102 because of an incomplete address.

Oh no! We spent the next several days trying to get in touch with the post office to track down our poor baby. After a long wait, which included a postal holiday, he kind folks at USPS safely delivered a small white box. We nervously opened the small white package and found the tiniest creature swimming happily! We hope Thinky Pinky likes its new home…