For this article, we will refer to the different colors as morphs as this is what they are called by experts. Then there are xanthophores which have a reddish-yellow pigment and finally, there are iridophores that make the Axolotls look shiny and some can even glow in the dark.Įach of the pigment cells contains 14 pairs of chromosomes which give the different exotic colors. The first is melanophores which have a darker pigment. The color of Axolotls depends upon pigment cells called chromatophores. There are still some which have been bred. However, not all Axolotls have been created this way. However, in captivity, you can find many more interesting colors that have been created in lab conditions by genetic engineering. This is a very good camouflage against predators. If you find axolotls in the wild, they are usually tan or brown in color with some gold specks over their body. How Many Types of Axolotl are There?Īxolotls are categorized by their color, but there isn’t a definite amount of color variations. Other choices of food include bloodworm cubes, a ball of raw hamburger meat and frozen shrimp. The best thing to give them is bait worms which you can get from a fishing supply shop.ĭon’t put in live fish as they can contaminate the water. When it comes to food, Axolotls are carnivores and need to eat meat. Putting a thermometer in their tank is a good idea as you will be able to monitor what the temperature is. You may have to buy a cooler for the tank if you live in a hot climate. Put in rocks, plants, and caves to add to their interest and to give them places to hide if they want some privacy.Īxolotls produce a lot of waste matter so you will need a water filter to keep the water clean.īecause they produce more waste than fish, you will need to change the filter often, probably at least once a week.Īxolotls prefer cooler temperatures and they won’t survive if the temperature is higher than the mid-70s. In fact, you can even get a bigger tank if you have the room as it will be more interesting for them to swim in a larger area. You will need at least a 10-gallon tank for one Axolotl, although 20 gallons is better. However, this is not to say that they don’t need looking after and there are a few things you need to do to give them a long and healthy life. Tips for Taking Care of an AxolotlĪxolotls are hardy and they are great as a first pet because they don’t need too much specialized care. They have, of course, to be put into another container filled with water while you are cleaning their aquarium. They don’t mind being touched, but their skin is very delicate so it’s best to only handle them when you are taking them out of the tank to change their water. However, they spend all their time in water so if you are keeping them as pets you will need a tank filled deeply with water as they don’t need to come out of the water. They are an endangered species in the wild so if you want to get one it will have been bred in captivity.Īn interesting fact is that they have both gills and lungs. Because of this, an aquarium will be ideal for them. Their natural habitat is a lake as they like to live in water with very little current. Perhaps you don’t know what Axolotls are? Well, they are salamanders which are native to Mexico but are now becoming very popular exotic pets. However, we’re not going to talk about my dog or cats today, but we’re going to take a look at the types of Axolotls. Hi there, my name’s Irena and I live on the beautiful island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea with my lovely and hyperactive dog, Sherlock, and my three cats, Hamlet, Dimitris, and Ebony.Īs you can probably guess Ebony is jet black and I consider her to be lucky, not unlucky.
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