Axolotls – Page 3 – Wild Hearts Wild Life

There are a lot of questions a potential new owner should consider before taking on a new pet. Ensuring that an animal you're thinking about keeping is actually right for you is very important! Making sure that you have the desire, and means, to care for an animal for the entirety of its life can help prevent the very real problem of exotic pets ending up in rescues, or worse. But how long, exactly, is the entirety of an exotic pet's life? When taking in an exotic pet, knowing that animal's general lifespan is an important piece of information. Especially since some exotics can live well beyond the lifespan of your typical domestic pet. So what is the average lifespan of an axolotl? How Long, On Average, Do Axolotls Live? Axolotls are, sadly, almost extinct in their native habitat. If they're lucky, wild axolotls are thought to live an average of between 5 and 10 years. Factors such as introduced predators, pollution, and habitat loss contribute to wild axolotls' early demise. In captivity, we can provide our aquatic friends with things like predator-free, optimal aquariums and healthy diets. Well cared for, captive axolotls generally live an average of between 10 and 15 years. However, it's not super usual for captive individuals to surpass that average and live into their 20s. Factors That Can Impact The Lifespan Of Your Axolotl In general, the biggest factors that can impact your axolotl's lifespan will include how well you care for him/her, and genetics. But genetics, unfortunately, is something pet owners don't always have control over. One thing you can do, if you don't have your axolotl yet, is to look into purchasing one from a reputable breeder who tracks the genetics of their animals. Avoid purchasing babies who are inbred or produced from parents with an unknown genetic history. If you already have your axolotl, or prefer to take in a rescue/rehome, there, unfortunately, won't be anything you can do to change their genetics. Luckily, genetics are not the only factor that influences axolotl lifespan! How you care for your axolotl on an ongoing bases is going to be the biggest factor that influences his/her lifespan. It makes sense right? A well-cared-for animal is going to be healthier, and live longer, than one whose needs are neglected. Here Are Some Tips For How You Can Help Your Axolotl Live As Long As Possible! Temperature is Important! Axolotls are cold water critters. But they can, potentially, get too cold. However, in general, getting too hot is going to be more detrimental. Temperatures that are too high will stress your axolotl, and can invite the growth of bacterial and/or fungal infections that are less likely to occur in cooler water. In extreme cases, temperatures that are too hot for too long can kill your axolotl. So keep those aquariums cool! Watch Water Quality. Your axolotl's aquarium is it's entire world. Axolotls can indeed be messy animals, and maintaining their aquarium parameters is very important. Ideally your axolotl will live in a cycled aquarium. Baring that, they can be kept in tubs or uncycled enclosures, but maintaining the water quality in these types of enclosures will take more work on your part. Poor water quality can lead to health issues such as ammonia burns or, worst case scenario, death. Avoid Impaction: Axolotls will eat pretty much anything that they can fit into their greedy little mouths. This, sadly, sometimes includes things like rocks and aquarium gravel. Impaction is a common cause of death in axolotls who are kept in improper setups. Therefore, the only safe loose substrates for an adult axolotl is fine sand, or very large rocks. Avoid placing gravel, small rocks, or anything small enough that it could fit inside your axolotl's mouth inside their aquarium. Feed a Proper Diet: You wouldn't believe some of the crazy things I've heard people say they feed to their axolotl. A healthy, species appropriate diet is best. Blackworms, nightcrawlers, red wrigglers, Repashy grub pie, and axolotl pellets all make great staple diets. Avoid Tank Mate Troubles: Similar sized axolotls can be kept together. It doesn't mean that they should be. If you decide to house multiple axolotls in the same aquarium, make sure to select same sex individuals. Males housed with females will constantly pressure the female, and overbreeding can lead to shorter lifespans for the female. No matter their sexes, watch your axolotls to ensure that one isn't picking on another. Axolotls housed together will sometimes compete for food. If they're not fed enough, it's not uncommon for one to bite the limbs off another. Axolotls should not be kept with fish or other aquatic animals. Axolotls will attempt to eat any critter that is smaller than they are. Fish that are not promptly eaten will often nibble at your axolotl's sensitive gills and slime coat. Learn More... Basic Axolotl Care Sheet What Temperature is Too Cold for Axolotls? Tubbing 101: Tubbing Axolotl Accumulating Your New Axolotl How to Cycle a Freshwater Aquarium Keeping axolotl is a 10 - 20+ year commitment. Before adding one to your family, it's important you understand how long of a commitment they can be. Our pets don't choose to live in captivity. It's up to us to ensure that we give them the best lives possible, and do what we can to help them live long, happy lives.