Axolotls are a type of salamander that have been capturing the hearts of many pet owners for years. With youthful appearances and goofy smiles, they are more and more in demand as pets.
But is it a good idea? The short answer is yes, and let’s explore eight reasons why.
1. Appearance
Axolotls are cute and small, perpetually looking like a young salamander. Because they always live underwater, they don’t lose their frilly gills! In fact, their gills can actually change colors over time and activity level, so you can get a clear sense of how your axolotl is feeling.
Overall, their bodies are typically light pink, but they actually come in a variety of vibrant colors, which many pet owners love. You can get an axolotl in brown, green, lavender, gold, mosaic, white, brown, gray, and black. These options will vary based on where they were bred. Most axolotls in the wild have more muted colors for safety reasons.
2. Axolotls are Easy to Care For
Axolotls are relatively easy to care for. All they need is a medium, 15-20 gallon tank with a secure lid and proper water conditions, and you should be good to go! The water temperature should be between 57- and 68-degrees F for your axolotl to be comfortable, and it should never exceed 75 degrees. Do not use chlorine. It is toxic for axolotls.
If you have a filter, you’ll want to change about 20 percent of the water weekly and be sure to remove any waste from the bottom of the tank. If you don’t have a filter, you’ll need to change about 20 percent of the water every day or every other day, depending on the size of the tank and the amount of waste.
3. Axolotl Temperament
Axolotls have a very easy temperament, which is great for first-time pet owners. They are calm, docile, and generally keep to themselves. They are not aggressive, but they will interact with people, especially at meal times!
Axolotls are not incredibly social, so you can get them a friend, or they can live solo. Just keep in mind that if you put a male and female together, they will breed. Many axolotl owners opt to keep same-sex pairs in the same tank for companionship.
4. Simple Habitat
Within your tank, you have several choices on how you want to set it up. If you want to line the tank with gravel, make sure the pieces are larger than the axolotl’s head and coarse in texture. This will prevent the axolotl from eating it and causing internal injury or even death in some cases. Many opt for sand as a safer alternative because it gives your axolotl something to grip when moving without worrying about swallowing it.
Just make sure your axolotl has one or two hiding spots so they can adequately rest and plants to provide more oxygen in the water. They do not need special lighting or timers, though if the room is too brightly lit, they may spend more time hiding out than hanging out with you.
5. Affordable and Easily Accessible Diet
Axolotls are carnivorous, so you’ll want to make sure they have access to a steady diet of various types of meat. They could be worms, insects, small fish, crustaceans, tadpoles, snails, or small amphibians. They can also eat narrow strips of raw lean chicken, beef, or fish.
Over time, they can learn to eat pelleted food, which makes it even easier to feed them!
Young axolotls eat every day, though by the time they reach adulthood, they only eat 2-3 times a week. Even with this easy diet, axolotls are nearly extinct in the wild due to a loss of habit, pollution, and more.
6. Axolotls Don’t Need to be Handled
Axolotls are hands-off pets that don’t need to be handled regularly, which is great for many pet owners. If you’re looking for a pet that you can touch and physically interact with, then an axolotl is not for you. They do not need human interaction, nor should they be regularly touched.
If you need to remove them from the tank to clean it, you should use a net rather than grab them with your hands and place them in a temporary water container. This will prevent their coats from drying out and reduce accidental injury.
7. Strong Immune System
Axolotls have the ability to regenerate body parts, so if something happens where they injure themselves and lose a limb or tail, they can regrow them. Even if they damage their heart, they can still regenerate! Scientists are actually studying them because of this amazing ability.
That doesn’t mean they can’t get sick, so make sure to keep their tanks clean to prevent bacterial infections. The ammonia from their waste can lead to a build-up that can cause gill damage, breathing problems, and brain damage.
8. Long lifespan
With proper care, your axolotl can live more than 10 to 15 years, which is great for those looking for a long-term companion. Even better, they will retain their cute, tadpole-like appearance regardless of how old they get!
Keep in mind that they can grow to be more than a foot long over time, so you’ll want to make sure they have a safe, comfortable, and clean tank to help ensure a long and happy life.
So, Why Are Axolotls Gaining Popularity as Pets
Axolotls make great pets for those looking to start keeping amphibians as pets. They are easy to care for, are relatively healthy thanks to their regenerative nature, and can live a long time in the right conditions.
While these Mexican native salamanders are nearly extinct in the wild, they are becoming more popular as pets, which is helping give this species a new lease on life. They are cute and have a smile on their faces. Paired with their easy temperament, it’s no wonder many are looking to own an axolotl.
