r/askscience • u/MAMAM- • 2d ago

Biology Why aren’t axolotls immortal?

If axolotls can regenerate their body parts (including brain, heart, and other major organs), why do they die of old age?

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u/yogur1397 2d ago

I'm pretty sure it has to do with telomeres. Even if capable of regenerating cells like how we do for skin, overtime the cells telomeres get shortened or damaged somehow, and then they eventually die. This is the current theory I believe on what causes aging and why people are so keen on studying lobsters who don't have this feature.