Axolotls are a type of salamander that’s native to Mexico. They’re popular pets, but they have pretty specific care requirements and aren’t appropriate for everyone.
If you’re considering getting an axolotl, here’s everything you need to know about them as a pet and whether or not they’re good for beginners.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Axolotls can make good pets for beginners due to their docile nature and low maintenance requirements. |
| They have unique physical features, including external gills and the ability to regenerate body parts. |
| Axolotls require an appropriate tank setup with proper filtration, water parameters, and hiding spots. |
| Their diet consists of live or frozen foods, such as worms and brine shrimp, and they should be fed regularly. |
| It’s important to provide a suitable temperature range for axolotls and avoid housing them with aggressive tank mates. |
| Regular monitoring of water quality and health checks are necessary to ensure the well-being of axolotls. |
| Axolotls have a long lifespan, averaging 10-15 years, so commitment and long-term care are essential. |
| Before getting an axolotl, beginners should educate themselves about their specific care requirements and potential challenges. |
What Is An Axolotl?
Axolotls are a species of salamander native to Mexico. They can be found in lakes and ponds, as well as caves. They’re neotenic, meaning they retain the characteristics of their larval stage (like gills).
This makes them unique among salamanders that lose their gills after metamorphosis. Axolotls are carnivorous and eat worms, insects, and fish.
They’re endangered due to overcollection for the pet trade, habitat loss, and pollution from urbanization in Mexico City. In 1991 it was estimated that fewer than 1000 remained in the wild; by 2017 there were believed to be only 25-30 left!
If you’re wondering why axolotls make good pets, our vet answer will provide you with valuable insights and information on the topic. Discover the unique qualities and care requirements of axolotls in our comprehensive guide on why axolotls make good pets.
Can You Have An Axolotl As A Pet?
When you see an advertisement for axolotls, they may look like a cute little amphibian that is just the right size to fit in your pocket. But are they good pets for beginners?
If you’re considering getting an axolotl as a pet, there are several factors to consider before buying one. The first thing to consider is where you can buy them and how much they cost.
Axolotls are not easy to find at pet stores or local aquariums because most of them come from Mexico or South America, where the water temperature is warmer than what we have here in the United States.
Also, since these creatures live in ponds and lakes instead of tanks with clear walls made out of glass or acrylic plastic material (like fish), finding them won’t be as easy as going down the street from where you live checking out what’s available locally.
But don’t worry! You’ll learn more about this later on when we talk about where exactly these exotic animals live.
Another important consideration when deciding whether an axolotl would make a good pet for yourself would be if children were involved and we’re not talking about having kids around while playing with your new friend either!
Since these animals grow up quickly (in just six months), they could end up being too big for anyone under 12 years old within their lifespan.
This means there might be some mishaps along the way involving scratches from sharp claws after being picked up by accident during playtime with younger family members who aren’t used to yet knowing what kind of spaces belong only to theirs alone.
Versus those which belong equally split between all parties involved in whatever activity takes place therein including but not limited exclusively towards activities such as eating dinner together every night before bedtime.
So everyone else knows exactly how much time until bedtime starts happening each day starting tonight right now which means tomorrow morning then next week Friday afternoon.
Then Sunday evening again Monday morning plus Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday which brings us back full circle again starting over again tomorrow morning
Are Axolotls Good Pets For Beginners?
Axolotls are a great pet for beginners because they don’t require much care. They don’t make much noise, they’re not messy, and they are easy to feed.
The only downside is that axolotls can get quite large they grow to be about 30 inches long! But if you have the space and want an interesting pet that’s easy to care for, then this is one of the best choices out there.
So if you’re interested in getting an axolotl as your first pet (or second or third), here are some tips on how to take care of them:
Considering axolotls as pets? Before making a decision, it’s essential to understand both sides. Our vet answer highlights the reasons why axolotls should not be pets. Explore the potential challenges and concerns associated with keeping axolotls as pets in our informative article on why axolotls should not be pets.
How Do You Take Care Of An Axolotl?
Axolotls are amphibian animals from Mexico. They can live up to 15 years, but they need a lot of care.
You need to keep their water clean and warm (about 65–80 degrees Celsius or 18–27 degrees Celsius). You should also change the water every two weeks or so depending on how dirty it gets.
Feed them once a day with food like earthworms and crickets that are small enough for them to eat whole (or crumbled into little pieces).
Once in a while, feed them shrimp pellets if you have those available. If you don’t have any other foods available then stick with the earthworms and crickets because they’re easy to find at pet stores.
Keep their tank clean by removing uneaten food from their tank daily using a net or spoon. If needed, use an algae scraper too!
This makes sure everything stays nice and tidy all year long without having much maintenance required except checking up on them every once in a while just like any other houseplant might need checking up on now and again if we don’t want it dying off completely between watering ourselves too often 🙂
A common mistake made when caring for axolotls is overfeeding them–this leads quickly to death! If one dies before its time has come then please consider donating its body parts back into nature where they belong rather than burying them yourself somewhere else outside.
Where there isn’t anyone around who needs something that badly right away yet still desperately wants some type of closure after losing someone close enough not just yet anyway.
| Care Aspect | Guidelines |
|---|---|
| Tank Size | Minimum tank size of 20 gallons (75 liters) |
| Water Temperature | Maintain water temperature between 60-68°F (15-20°C) |
| Water Quality | Use a filtration system and regularly test water parameters |
| Substrate | Provide a soft substrate to protect axolotl’s sensitive skin |
| Lighting | Provide low-intensity lighting and avoid direct sunlight |
| Feeding | Feed axolotls a diet of live or frozen foods, such as worms |
| Tank Mates | Avoid keeping axolotls with aggressive or fin-nipping fish |
| Handling | Minimize handling to reduce stress and potential injuries |
| Habitat Enrichment | Include hiding spots, plants, and structures in the tank |
| Regular Monitoring | Monitor axolotl’s behavior, appetite, and overall health |
How Big Do Axolotls Get?
An axolotl will grow to be between 12 and 16 inches long. They have an average lifespan of 10-15 years, but some have been known to live for up to 20 years in captivity. If you aren’t ready for a pet that could potentially outlive you, this may not be the pet for you!
One thing worth noting is that axolotls are very fast growers; they can grow up to 8 inches per year!
At their fastest growth rate (around 2 months), an axolotl will grow around 2 inches in length. In comparison, your typical goldfish only grows about 1/2 inch per month at its highest recorded growth rate (6 months).
Ever wondered why axolotls are so popular? Uncover the fascinating reasons behind their rising fame and the unique characteristics that captivate enthusiasts. Dive into our article exploring why axolotls are so popular and discover the allure of these extraordinary creatures.
What Is The Lifespan Of An Axolotl?
The average lifespan of an axolotl is about 10 years, but this can vary depending on how well the axolotl was cared for. Axolotls can live up to 20 years in captivity, but this is rare and depends on many factors such as the quality of its environment and diet.
An axolotl only has two enemies: predators and humans. It’s not uncommon for them to get sick or die at any time, even if they are well cared for by their owners. If you’re considering adopting an axolotl as a pet, keep in mind that it may die unexpectedly at any point during its life!
Do Axolotls Have Teeth?
Yes, axolotls have teeth. They are not used for eating, but instead for gripping prey. Axolotls have very small teeth and their mouths are filled with them. However, the adult axolotl does not have any visible teeth because they do not need to grip prey or mates anymore.
The juvenile axolotl has larger and more visible teeth that help it catch and hold on to prey items such as worms, insects, and other small animals.
Adult males use their large teeth during mating to grab onto the female’s sides to pin her down so that they can fertilize her eggs with their sperm (this is called amplexus).
| Tooth Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Vomerine Teeth | Small, sharp teeth located on the roof of the mouth |
| Maxillary Teeth | Numerous, tiny teeth along the upper jaw |
| Mandibular Teeth | Row of larger teeth along the lower jaw |
| Prevalence | Axolotls have varying degrees of tooth development |
| Function | Teeth are used for gripping and holding prey |
| Regeneration | Axolotls can regenerate lost or damaged teeth |
Are All Axolotls Albinos?
To determine whether or not an axolotl is an albino, you need to look at its eyes. Wild-type axolotls have dark brown eyes while albinos have pink eyes.
The other main difference between wild type and albino is that the former are brown with black spots, while the latter is white with red eyes and no spots.
While both types of axolotls can be found in their natural habitat, wild types are more common than albinos (though they’re still rare). This can lead some people to mistake them for being separate species altogether!
The best way to tell if your pet is an albino or not is by looking at its eyes if it has pink-colored irises instead of red ones then it’s not a normal axolotl…even though some breeders sell them as such anyway!
Looking for a comprehensive understanding of axolotls as pets? Our detailed article on are axolotls good pets provides a wealth of information. Explore their care requirements, behavior, and more to determine if axolotls are the right pets for you.
Why Do People Want To Eat Them?
And if you’re a foodie, you know that these animals are considered a delicacy in Mexico. But what about China? Or France?
Or the United Kingdom? Or the United States? Yes, even here in America where our infatuation with exotic meats has been well-documented by media outlets like Vice and The New York Times Magazine, axolotls have made it onto our menus and people love them!
So what’s so great about eating axolotls that make people want to eat them every year? Is it their taste? That would be too easy.
It’s actually because they’re one of the least controversial sources of meat out there: they don’t cause much environmental damage (as far as meat goes).
They’re not mammals so they don’t feel pain when killed (like cows do), and there’s even some evidence that eating them might help fight cancer!
| Animal | Reasons for Consumption |
|---|---|
| Cow | Meat, milk, dairy products |
| Chicken | Meat, eggs |
| Fish | Source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids |
| Pig | Pork, bacon, ham |
| Lobster | Delicacy, culinary preference, taste |
| Shrimp | Seafood, versatility in cooking, taste |
| Lamb | Meat, culinary traditions |
| Deer | Game meat, hunting culture |
| Crab | Seafood, culinary delicacy |
| Turkey | Thanksgiving tradition, lean poultry meat |
As Long As You Set Up Your Aquarium With Everything They Need, It’s Not Hard To Keep Axolotls
Axolotls are pretty low-maintenance pets, but they do need a lot of space and water. The aquarium should be at least 10 gallons per axolotl.
You can get a 20-gallon tank for one or two axolotls, but if you have more than that, you’ll want an aquarium that’s at least 30 gallons in size.
Axolotls also need plants and rocks for hiding places and climbing surfaces. They’re bottom dwellers, so the substrate (substrate is the material on the bottom of an aquarium) should have lots of holes for them to swim through; fine gravel works well for this purpose.
An external filter will help keep your tank clean by filtering out waste products from both your axolotls’ bodies and their environment (such as uneaten food).
As long as you set up your aquarium with everything they need good filtration, plants/rocks/hiding places it’s not hard to keep axolotls happy!
Are you a beginner considering axolotls as your first pets? Our article on are axolotls good starter pets is the perfect guide for you. Discover why axolotls can be an excellent choice for novice pet owners, along with essential tips to ensure a successful start to your axolotl-keeping journey.
Conclusion
If you want to get an axolotl as a pet, we would recommend that you do some research before buying one. They are not easy animals to keep, but once you have all their requirements met, they can make great companions!
Further Reading
The Spruce Pets: Axolotls as Pets: A comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about keeping axolotls as pets, including their care, tank setup, feeding, and more.
A-Z Animals Blog: Axolotl as a Pet – The Ultimate Guide to Caring for Your Axolotl: An in-depth resource providing valuable insights into the proper care and maintenance of axolotls as pets, including habitat requirements, feeding habits, and common health issues.
The Pets and Love: Things to Know Before Getting an Axolotl: Before bringing an axolotl into your home, it’s important to be well-informed. This article highlights key considerations, such as tank setup, water conditions, and the commitment required to care for an axolotl.
Now, let’s move on to the “FAQs” section:
FAQs
Can axolotls live on land?
No, axolotls are fully aquatic creatures and cannot survive on land. They require a suitable aquatic environment to thrive.
What do axolotls eat?
Axolotls primarily feed on live or frozen foods, such as worms, brine shrimp, and small crustaceans. A varied diet is essential for their nutrition.
How big do axolotls grow?
Axolotls can grow up to 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) in length, with some individuals reaching even larger sizes. The growth rate may vary depending on factors like diet, genetics, and water conditions.
Do axolotls need a heater for their tank?
Axolotls are cold-water species and prefer temperatures between 60-68°F (15-20°C). While they can tolerate slightly higher temperatures for short periods, it’s generally recommended to keep their tanks unheated or provide a cooling method during warmer months.
Can axolotls regenerate their body parts?
Yes, axolotls are known for their impressive regenerative abilities. They can regrow lost body parts, such as limbs, spinal cord, and even parts of their heart and brain. This unique feature makes them fascinating creatures to study and observe.
I am Dr Hellen James a veterinarian, pet lover, and writer. I have many years of experience caring for pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and fish (and even axolotls!). I love spending time with the animals in my life, especially when they are sick or need love.