Pet axolotls have increased in popularity because of companies like Minecraft and Squishmallows. Their cute little faces and frilly gills are undeniably adorable, which has led to axolotl merch everywhere. But is it okay that these unusual creatures are becoming popular pets? Axolotls as pets may work well for some people, but like with any pet, there’s a lot to consider before bringing one home. Keep reading to find out if an axolotl is the right pet for you.
What are Axolotls?
An axolotl is a type of paedomorphic salamander, meaning it keeps its juvenile features even as an adult. Most salamanders have an aquatic larval stage where they live entirely underwater with frilly gills. Salamanders usually go through metamorphosis, which causes them to lose those gills so they can live on land. Axolotls don’t go through that process, which is why they typically stay looking like a baby salamander their whole lives.
Axolotls still exist in the wild, but they’re much more common in captivity. An axolotl in the wild can only be found in one lake in Mexico: Lake Xochimilco. They used to live in Lake Chalco too, but it was drained by humans to prevent flooding. If you find a wild axolotl outside of that area, it’s likely a young salamander of a different species instead of an axolotl.
In the wild, axolotls are sadly critically endangered due to human development, climate change, pollution, and loss of habitat. So, if you get a pet axolotl, they should never be taken out of the wild. Instead, you can buy one that was bred in captivity.
What Colors Do Axolotls Come in?
Most people associate axolotls with a pale color and bright pink or red gills. Many axolotls do come in that coloring (known as leucistic), but there are also a lot of other colors out there. The other most common color is “wild type,” which consists of darker colors like gray, green, black, and brown.
While those are the two types of coloring you're most likely to see, there are lots of unique colors that have appeared through selective breeding. Those special color patterns are usually called “morphs.” Some axolotl morphs include gold, copper, lavender, mosaic, and enigma (dark colors with flecks of shiny gold and green).
Finding a specific morph will typically be harder and more expensive than just choosing a leucistic or wild type axolotl.
Things to Consider Before Getting Axolotls as Pets
Never bring home a new pet without preparing items and doing your research first. Remember, just because a pet looks cool doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for your lifestyle. So, if you’re in the early stages of axolotl research, here are some things to consider to help you determine if they’re a good fit for your home.
You Shouldn’t Touch Them
Axolotls are amphibians, so they have permeable skin, meaning liquids and gasses can pass through it. Thus, an axolotl’s skin is very sensitive, especially to the oils of human hands. Touching an axolotl could damage their protective layer of slime, leaving them more susceptible to illnesses. Touching an axolotl is also likely to stress them out, which could lead to other health complications.
Many people want a pet they can cuddle and interact with, but you can’t do that with an axolotl. They’re a pet that’s just for looking at and admiring, not holding in your hands. They should only be touched if it’s absolutely necessary. So, if you’re looking for an interactive pet, an axolotl isn’t right for you.
You Need to Be Comfortable with Creepy Crawlies
Worms are the ideal diet for axolotls, so if you keep one as a pet, you need to be okay with touching worms and serving them to your pet. If you bring home a young axolotl, you’ll likely need to chop up the worms into bite-sized pieces until your axolotl is big enough to swallow a whole worm. If worms make you squeamish, you may want to reconsider getting an axolotl unless you’re willing to face your fear.
Setting Up a Tank Begins Way Before Bringing an Axolotl Home
You can’t buy an axolotl on a whim because you need to have the aquarium set up in advance. The same goes for any other aquatic pet. You need to cycle the water in the aquarium for four to eight weeks, depending on the tank size, before adding an axolotl. Cycling refers to establishing a population of living bacteria in the tank.
If a tank hasn’t been cycled before you add your axolotl, there’s a high risk that they’ll get sick. So, if you’re interested in an axolotl, you need to be willing to be patient, and you need to be okay with planning ahead.
They Can’t Live with Other Species
An appeal of aquariums for many people is caring for a colorful variety of animals. However, axolotls cannot live with other animals. Full-grown axolotls can typically live with one other axolotl, but they’re not social animals, so there’s no benefit to having two. One axolotl should have a minimum of 20 gallons (long tank) and two should have a minimum of 40 gallons (long tank).
If you have two axolotls together, make sure they’re the same sex to avoid having baby axolotls appear. Axolotls that aren’t sexually mature shouldn’t live together since you can’t tell their sex yet. Also, young axolotls tend to eat anything they can, so it’s common for juvenile axolotls to eat the feet and gills of other axolotls. They can regrow body parts, but it’s safer to keep young axolotls alone.
Since axolotls, especially young ones, like to eat everything, they could harm other animals in the tank. On the other hand, other animals could nip at their gills and injure them. Thus, it’s best to keep axolotls alone. If you were hoping for an aquarium full of colorful fish, choose a different species to own.
Their Water Needs to Stay Cold
An axolotl tank should be between 55 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (12 to 20 Celsius), with 64 F (17 C) being the ideal temperature. This temperature is colder than many aquariums, which is another reason why you shouldn’t add fish to the tank.
If you live somewhere that’s warm year-round, keeping the tank cold can be tricky. Having a fan over the aquarium can help temporarily, but if the temperature outside is often above 70, you’ll likely want to invest in a chiller. Chillers typically cost a couple hundred bucks, but they can keep your aquarium at a consistent temperature. If you live somewhere warm but can’t afford a chiller, you shouldn’t get an axolotl yet.
It’s Difficult to Transport Them
Transporting an aquarium pet is much trickier than moving a land animal. Axolotls get stressed very easily, so moving them from one location to another is a lot for them to handle. Transferring some of their tank water into a cooler is typically the best way to move them while still keeping their water cool.
If you’re planning to move in the near future, it may be best to wait to get an axolotl. While moving them is manageable, it’s best to avoid doing it as much as possible.
They're Illegal in Some Places
In some locations, owning an axolotl isn't allowed. For example, it's illegal to own axolotls in California. This is because axolotls could pose a threat to native salamander species (such as interbreeding with tiger salamanders if released into the wild). Check to make sure axolotls are legal pets in your area before buying one.
Where Can I Find an Axolotl for Sale?
Axolotls for sale are fairly easy to find due to their popularity. Most pet stores carry them, and you may be able to find them at pet rescues too (some rescues specialize in exotic animals). Axolotls get dumped at rescues more often than people think because people will buy them and surrender them when they realize they’re more work than they thought. Some breeders will also surrender them if they lose a foot (even though feet grow back). I got my axolotl from J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue in Wisconsin.
If you go somewhere in person to get an axolotl, look closely at the axolotl’s condition before buying them. Small gills or a frail body could be a sign that they’re not well cared for. Avoid supporting pet stores that don’t treat their animals well. (For example, if the pet store carries puppies, they likely source them from a puppy mill, so it’s best to find a different store to buy an axolotl from).
Some breeders will ship axolotls to you if you don’t live nearby. While this can be convenient if you don’t have any in-person options near you, please be cautious. Some axolotls have arrived dead through shipping, so make sure the breeder is able to ship the axolotl quickly and safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Axolotls Eat?
Axolotls eat worms, insect larvae, and brine shrimp. In the wild, they will ingest about any food they can find, which may even consist of tadpoles and small fish. In captivity, their diet mostly consists of earthworms.
Where Do Axolotls Live?
In the wild, axolotls only live in two freshwater lakes in Mexico: Lake Chalco and Lake Xochimilco. If you find a wild axolotl somewhere else, it’s likely the larval stage of a different type of salamander instead of an axolotl.
Are Axolotls Endangered?
Yes, wild axolotls are critically endangered. Their population has significantly declined because of human development, pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. As pets, they must be bred in captivity and never taken out of the wild.
How Long Do Axolotls Live?
Axolotls typically live 10-15 years in captivity and 5-6 years in the wild. So, if you get one as a pet, be prepared for over a decade of care.
How Many Axolotls Are Left?
The wild population of axolotls is between 50 and 1,000. Sadly, they will likely go extinct in the wild in the near future. Captive-bred axolotls cannot be released into the wild because they don’t have a strong enough immune system to survive in the polluted natural habitat.
What’s the Difference Between Male and Female Axolotls?
The most obvious difference between male and female axolotls is their cloaca size. Males have a much larger bulge at the base of their tails than females do. Females also tend to have a more rounded body than males.
Is an Axolotl Right for You?
Axolotls can make great pets if you’ve done your research, prepared the aquarium, and know what to expect. However, if you’re looking for a pet that you can interact with, an axolotl isn’t for you. Axolotls are fascinating to watch and admire, but they can’t be pet and handled like other animals can. So, keep all the above considerations in mind to help you decide if you should bring home an axolotl.