Would An Axolotl Suit You As A Pet?
Have you considered an Axolotyl as a pet? Have you even heard of an Axolotyl? Here’ what you need to know about this unusual pet…
Selecting a new pet can be a difficult process, especially if there are certain criteria you’re looking to fulfill. Unless you’ve had an axolotl before, you might be uncertain about whether one would suit you and your living habits, but rest assured, axolotls can make great low maintenance pets.
These water-dwelling amphibians are a lot of fun, something a little unusual to show off to your friends, and don’t take up too much time! They look very unique, being somewhere between a fish and a lizard, but surprisingly, they are not too much of a challenge to keep happy and healthy. As with any pet, do plenty of research and be sure you’re ready to make the commitment before bringing your new little friend home!
Here are a few facts about axolotls which will help you determine whether keeping one as a pet will suit you.
1) What Do Axolotyl Eat?
Perhaps the most fundamental question with any pet is how to feed them. Axolotls have a fairly varied diet, mainly eating fish, crustaceans, and worms. Standard fish food is not suitable for them as it doesn’t provide all the nutrients they require, but you can buy plenty of foods which they will like from most pet stores.
You can feed your axolotl on bloodworms, tubifex worms, little shrimps, and the dried fish food pellets which are sold for carnivorous fish consumption. Make sure your axolotl is getting a balanced diet, and talk to your local pet shop if in doubt. Young axolotl should be fed once or twice a day, and any uneaten food should be removed from the tank. Adults don’t need to be fed quite as regularly, but make sure they aren’t going hungry.
2) How Big Do Axolotyl Get?
Axolotl usually grow to approximately 25-30cm long (10-12 inches). The males weigh around 130g, while females often weigh 170g or more. Axolotls can live up to twenty years, so bear this in mind when deciding whether you want to make the commitment; they are a long-term pet, and you need to be sure that you will be able to care for them for as long as they need.
Because of their size, axolotls need reasonably big tanks; you want an aquarium that can hold 20+ gallons of water. Be aware that if you have more than one axolotl, you should provide plenty of space to ensure they don’t get stressed and start nipping at each other.
3) Axolotyl Habitat
Axolotls can live alone or with others, and they don’t need much attention in terms of handling. They are low-maintenance in this way but can be a little fussy in terms of their habitat. They dislike bright lights and will not thrive if they can’t find shelter. Young axolotl, in particular, require a dim light and plenty of hiding places, and even older ones are prone to stress if the light is too bright or they feel too exposed by their tank set up.
Axolotls like very particular plants, water temperature, filters, substrates, etc., and the set-up can be somewhat expensive, especially when compared with other aquatic creatures. You need to do thorough research and potentially even talk to other owners to ensure you get the best possible environment for these little fellows.
4) Interesting Facts about Axolotyl
One of the best things about axolotls is how cool they are. They look cool, they sound cool, and they are cool – talk about a quirky pet. An aquatic salamander, that looks like half a fish, half a lizard, and has lungs as well as gills, they aren’t the standard!
These little creatures also have an amazing ability to regrow limbs or body parts, which makes them fascinating to study. While it’s hoped any pet axolotls will avoid the serious injuries that would require them to use this ability, it’s nonetheless a great talking point with friends, and gives us amazing respect for these little creatures!
If you’re looking for an unusual but relatively low-maintenance pet, axolotls may just fit the bill. They’ve got a growing fan-base in the exotic pet community, which is not surprising when you look at how gorgeous and cute they are. Watching them drift around in their tanks, munching here and there and enjoying life, is an absolute pleasure.
About the author:
Nancy Kindle loves her freelance writing job at Lucky Assignments, as well as her passion for social media and marketing, which she combines by being a keynote speaker in both areas. Engaging with her audience, through comments and full-on conversations outside of her articles truly give her joy and remind her of why she loves her career. Thoughtful words from her audience are the highlight of her day. But, when her life isn’t being consumed by her fierce love for writing, she likes to relax with hikes or cooking in the kitchen with new recipes.