Do you love animals? If so, then you have probably heard of the axolotl before! The axolotl is a freshwater salamander that grows very slowly. They are typically only 2-3 inches long when fully grown.
But if allowed proper space to grow, they can get quite large! Most species reach around 6 feet in length which makes them interesting wildlife creatures to see. Because axolotls are protected by law, most people cannot handle one unless authorized through a zoo or aquarium. This is why prices vary so much for axolots!
Some may be more expensive due to their size or because they are rare.
Where can I get one?
Having your own pet axolotl is definitely not for everyone, but if you are interested in them then there are several different sources to acquire one!
You can visit reptile ranches or wildlife preserves to see axolotls in the wild. This is not always easy since they are endangered so it depends on where you go as to whether this happens. Another option would be to volunteer at a zoo or animal sanctuary to help take care of one of these creatures.
Zoos that have axolotls include The San Diego Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, and Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo. At the San Diego Zoo, visitors can even hold some of their babies!
Animal sanctuaries also have access to axolotls, although they may cost more to adopt due to additional expenses like food and shelter.
Are they easy to keep?
This is one of the most expensive salamanders you can buy! They are not easily bred in captivity, which makes them very expensive. Even though they cost more, this does not mean that they are unnecessary or impractical.
Axolotls are still quite popular and many people enjoy keeping them as pets. If you do decide to get one, make sure it’s from a reputable breeder who doesn’t overbreed their animals. Make sure your animal is eating and grooming itself and has adequate shelter and habitat where it can live and grow.
There are several axolotl fan clubs across the internet with lots of information for potential owners.
What are the costs?
The axolotl can cost anywhere from $25 to well over $1,000! This depends mostly on how much you want it as well as what size tank you have. If you are buying a smaller aquarium home, then there is less of an excuse for spending more money on your new friend.
The price per individual varies depending on where you purchase yours from and if you are buying a hatchling or adult form. Hatchlings are usually cheaper than adults because they do not need as large of a habitat or space to live in.
Adult animals typically go for higher prices due to them needing larger tanks and more space to roam around in.
Do they live longer than a frog?
A lot of people ask how much does it cost to keep an axolotl as a pet, so let’s take a look at that! The price for this depends on a few things such as size, sex, and whether you want a hatchling or adult animal.
The biggest factor is determining how many inches long your axolotl is going to be when it is fully grown. This will determine what sized tank you need and what kind of care the animals needs.
Some species of axolotls can grow up to 2 feet long! So if yours is anywhere close to that length then you should know about them already! Unfortunately most axolotl owners are not given adequate information about their pets after they buy them, which is why we have to tell you more here!
AxoBears only sells adults over 5 pounds because we are very careful about who gets one! We also require a veterinary visit within the first week to make sure everything is fine and health guaranteed.
What do they eat?
Most axolotls are omnivorous, eating both meat and plants as main components of their diet. They can even be described as vegetarian due to their lack of taste for red meat.
Axolotls mostly feed off insects including worms, crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, earwigs, and other small invertebrates.
They will also take berries, fruits, vegetables, and sometimes fish or mice if hungry. Due to their nocturnal nature, most individuals only come out at night to hunt for food.
When they are not feeding, axolotls usually either sleep or remain inactive in a quiet area to conserve energy.
Is it true they can eat their own fingers?
The next myth is that axolotls are able to eat their own digits. This has never been observed, nor have there ever been any reports of this happening in captivity. Anaximenes was reported to carry his thumbs in his mouth as a pet, but even he didn’t seem to enjoy this much!
If anything, most axolotls will actively avoid eating their own hands- sometimes for days at a time! When they do consume them, it is usually when they are very hungry or something is interfering with food intake (like another animal trying to snack on them).
But why would they need to eat their own hand if they don’t like touching other things? It seems odd to us, but then we aren’t necessarily the best judges of what makes them uncomfortable.
What do you do with them?
Most people enjoy keeping axolotls as pets! They are very intelligent, curious animals that can be playful at times. Some even keep their pet axolots as part of their aquarium collection. Others show theirs off by breeding them or giving birth to young ones.
There are several different ways to houseaxolotlas. Many breeders recommend using glass terraria because they are waterproof and easy to clean. You may also choose to use plastic tanks if you are more experienced in taking care of freshwater animals.
The most expensive thing about owning anaxolotls is actually feeding them. The average cost per meal for axolotls is two dollars. Because they eat mollusks such as cramp shells and mussels, these foods can be expensive. Luckily, you can purchase dried food pellets which make it much easier to give your animal its needed nutrition.
Do they come with a kit?
Even though they may seem expensive, most people have a misconception about how much these animals cost. Most of the time, it is because they do not know what to include in the purchase!
Axolotls usually only require some aquarium soil as a home base.