Photo By Gail

Sometimes the best souvenirs are the ones that combine artistry, whimsy, and cultural heritage — which is exactly what you get with this delightful set of three small figurines: a Mariachi Band of Pink Axolotls, each one handcrafted from painted gourds. With their tiny instruments and cheerful expressions, these amphibious musicians look ready to serenade you right off the shelf.

If it feels like axolotls are everywhere right now, you’re not imagining things. Over the past year, the Pink Axolotl has been having a serious pop culture moment, showing up as plush toys, pool floats, pajamas, lamps, and even furniture. The craze is fitting, since the axolotl is native to Mexico — which makes these gourd figurines both a cultural nod and a celebration of an animal that has captured hearts imaginations and worldwide.

Amid the cuteness, it’s worth remembering that the axolotl is also an endangered species. Wild populations are threatened, in part, because people have been eating them. So let’s just say this clearly: please admire them, collect them, and decorate with them — but don’t eat them.

These gourd-crafted Pink Axolotl Mariachis are more than just charming little souvenirs: they’re playful ambassadors for an iconic Mexican creature that deserves both our love and protection.

Photographed in Old Town, San Diego, California.