In early 2022 I bred axolotls for the first time. I spent the next year or so caring, and finding happy new homes for a grand total of 78 baby axolotls! It felt so bitter sweet each time a baby found a forever home. I was sad to see them go, especially after raising them from eggs and watching them grow. But I was always happy to find them loving homes. A few years later I still receive updates on many of the ‘babies’ (not so much babies anymore), which I love! Other than a handful of axolotls that I was able to sell locally, most of the little ones had to be shipped to their new homes. If you’re here it’s probably because you’re wondering – is it safe to ship axolotls!?
Shipped Either Way
Unless you’re lucky enough to find a breeder local to you, or someone looking to rehome an axolotl, chances are you’re going to have to have one shipped to you, unless you can find one in your local pet store.
Getting an axolotl locally may seem like the safer way to go, and it can certainly eliminate some stress. However, axolotls in pet stores are shipped too! They are shipped, usually in mass, from breeding facilities or animal dealers to pet stores to be sold. Pet stores will normally purchase livestock, such as axolotls, for wholesale prices. They mark up their prices when they sell to consumers.
Shipping Live Animals Is Stressful
There’s no way around it, shipping, whether it’s done directly from breeder to consumer, or to a pet store, can be stressful for animals. In the case of axolotls, it’s relatively common for them to arrive to their destination looking a bit pale. Over time, with proper acclimation, your axolotl should regain his/her normal colors and begin to eat.
Shipping axolotls isn’t always risk free. Besides just general stress, issues such as ammonia burns, lack of appetite, curled gills, and fungus can occur. It’s not unheard of, sadly, for axolotl and other aquatics to sometimes pass away during shipping. The chances of this happening increase when axolotls are shipped improperly, and/or during hot weather.
Individualized Care
The main thing that makes getting an axolotl shipped via a breeder safer is the level of individualized care each animal receives. In most cases, axolotls being shipped are animals that the breeder has raised from eggs. They should genuinely care about each animal, and take the time to pack them carefully to ensure a safe journey to their new homes. The axolotl goes, ideally, from one person who knows how to properly care for it to another (you!). There’s no middle man tasked with caring for animals that they may not be familiar with, or have much of an investment in.
How Are Axolotl Shipped?
How axolotl are shipped will depend on the breeder you’re working with. Some breeders will ship via USPS, aka the US post office, while others prefer to use express services. My personal preference is for FedEx express shipping. I’ve found it to be the most reliable and fastest shipping method. Yes, shipping (some) live animals through FedEx is legal. There will be rules that your breeder should follow when shipping live animals. These can vary a bit depending on what company they use. Usually it will include things like how live animals should be packaged for shipping, and how the outsides of the packages should be labeled.
Pay special attention to the weather when you have your axolotl shipped. Axolotls are cold water critters, and shipping during high temperatures can spell trouble for them. Sellers should be using insulated boxes, and know when to include ice packs in axolotl shipments. Generally, shipping in warmer temperatures is best done as quickly as possible. I personally prefer to ship axolotl overnight only, especially if temperatures are going to be above 80*F. Different breeders will have different temperatures they feel comfortable with, though.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been shipping aquatic animals for years, although admittedly it has been mostly fish and aquatic snails. Throughout 2022 and early 2023, I shipped out a total of 72 axolotls throughout the us (legal states only!) and did not lose a single one. I worried about each baby that I shipped, and was careful to pack each one with care. It was always a relief when I would hear from the axolotl’s new families that they had arrived home safe and sound. Despite the worry, if I decide to breed my axolotls again in the future I would feel comfortable shipping them again.
I currently have four axolotls of my own. Out of the four, three of them were shipped to me by other breeders. Being on the other side of the shipping process is just as stressful as shipping them out myself! I worried about each of my little buddies while they were being shipped. I made sure to work with caring, experienced, breeders and my axolotl all arrived to me safe and sound. Even Locke, who is my most expensive axolotl to date, and, go figure, also the only one who experienced a shipping delay!
Breeders being able to have axolotl shipped from all over the country is awesome for establishing healthy, genetically diverse breeding stock. Just like with shipping axolotl myself, if, in the future, I ever want to add to my little axolotl family, I would feel comfortable having an axolotl shipped to me.
Is It Safe To Ship Axolotls?
Yes, it is generally considered to be safe to ship axolotls. Care should be taken when packaging/shipping them, especially so during times of extreme temperatures. Shipping live animals is never without risk. Even so, breeders throughout the country successfully ship axolotls safely to their new homes all the time! Having axolotls shipped can be especially helpful if you’re looking for a specific animal (color, age, genetics, gender, etc.) and are having trouble finding what you’re looking for in your local area.
What If You Want An Axolotl But Don’t Want To Have One Shipped?
If getting your new pet shipped to you is too stressful, a good first option can be searching your local area either for axolotl breeders, or for people looking to rehome their pets. This may limit you a bit, as you won’t be able to be as picky about what you’re looking for. However, it can be a good option especially if you’re just looking for a pet axolotl rather than a future breeder.
Alternatively, finding a reptile expo local to you is usually a great way to find an axolotl! You’ll still want to vet any breeders at an expo, the same way you would if you were making a purchase online. But buying animals from responsible breeders at expos can be a good way to get quality animals without having to worry about having them shipped.
What Do You Think?
Have you ever had an axolotl, or another type of pet, shipped to you? I prefer to support responsible breeders vs pet stores, and some of my pet animals are also breeders. I’ve had many of my current exotic animals, axolotls included, shipped to me. Although there can be risks associated with shipping, thankfully in all the years of shipping out, and receiving, animals I haven’t had to deal with any major issues. Working with a responsible breeder, who has experience shipping animals and follows all the associated best practices, can go a long way towards ensuring your new pet gets to you happy and healthy!