Mary Allen
Fish? Lizard? Frog? The axolotl is a strange little fellow. The mini «water monster», which is native to Mexico, also looks good in domestic aquariums.
An axolotl will amaze most people. Since the uninitiated cannot immediately classify it into the well-known categories of fish, lizard, frog, or salamander, the lively transverse-toothed newt, which belongs to the long-tailed amphibians, presents an unusual sight at first.
For some, the axolotl triggers a slight shudder due to its strange appearance, others are immediately captivated: it is popular above all because it seems to be smiling all the time and otherwise does not show any particularly aggressive behavior. His name comes from Aztec and is translated as “god from the water” or “water monster”, depending on the interpretation. In fact, there are only two lakes in Mexico that are naturally native to it: Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco. All specimens alive today originate in one of these two bodies of water.
Forever a Larva
But axolotls aren’t just amazing animals because of their looks. They are the best-known example of the biological phenomenon of neoteny, that is, they become adults and sexually mature without ever leaving their larval stage.
Normally, amphibians develop simple lungs during their development and can then stay on land and in water at the same time. Newts tend to prefer the wet, while salamanders prefer it dry. Axolotls spend their entire lives underwater. At least if everything goes smoothly.
In fact, under certain circumstances, an axolotl may undergo a metamorphosis, losing gills, developing lung respiration, and then transforming into a salamander-like land walker. This can happen in captivity, and hormones can be used to force such a transformation. However, deliberately bringing about such a metamorphosis is only permitted for scientific purposes, as this considerably reduces the life expectancy of the animals.
Another amazing ability is the axolotl’s ability to regenerate lost limbs. Arms, legs, and even parts of the heart, spine, and brain that have been removed grow back without scarring. Researchers are still trying to find out what exactly is going on in the cells and whether human medicine can also benefit from the axolotl.
Suitable for Aquarium Beginners
Aside from the biological wonders that the little-tailed amphibians are capable of, they also make good pets. Since they are aquatic animals, they do not need a terrarium with different wet and dry zones like their amphibian comrades, but a planted aquarium with a water pump. A special heater is not necessary, it is sufficient if the water temperature is between twelve and 22 degrees Celsius.
Naturally, axolotls are marbled dark gray or brown, but light-bred ones are also popular. A distinction is made between leucistic (strongly lightened with black eyes) and albino (pigment-free, with light-colored eyes) variants. Several conspecifics can be kept in one aquarium as long as they are roughly the same size. Young animals, on the other hand, can quickly be mistaken for food.
Axolotls are hunting animals, even if they don’t necessarily look like it. Basically, anything that is sized to fit in their mouths and moves will be sucked in by them. Their natural diet includes shrimp, insect larvae, crustaceans, worms, and small fish. For keepers who don’t want to or can’t give live food every time, there are also special axolotl pellets available in specialist shops.
Axolotls reproduce well in aquariums, during the mating season fertilized females can lay dozens of eggs, from which tadpole-like young hatch after 14 days. In addition, they are strictly protected in their native lakes in Mexico, which is why amphibian lovers here in this country hardly run the risk of ending up with wild catches. In the aquarium, the axolotl can live up to twelve years and older, the oldest specimens that are known were a proud 28 years old. So, those who choose to keep axolotls should be aware of how long this relationship will last; but once you’ve grown fond of them, you can’t part with these remarkable animals.