Our campaigns Current campaigns Don't Pet Me: wild animals are not pets Species factsheets Facts about axolotls Did you know that axolotls cannot live on land and are critically endangered? Read more fascinating facts about these creatures below. Where do axolotls live? axolotls are solitary amphibians native to Mexico. They are carnivorous predators that live in springs and mountain snowmelt, with freshwater, deep lakes and abundant aquatic vegetations. In the wild they feed on small fish, insects and crustaceans. (Photo: Chinampas of Xochimilco, Mexico, where axolotl live. © Hernan Garcia Crespo/Flickr) Are axolotls suitable as pets? No, axolotls are wild animals that are very likely to suffer in captive environments and thus they should not be bought as pets. Some pet retailers inaccurately label axolotls as "easy" or "beginner" pets, describing them as "effortless" to care for, which is misleading and potentially harmful. Do axolotls suffer in captivity? Yes, some axolotl behaviours in captivity are indicative of stress or illness, such as abnormal gill movement, erratic swimming, twisting, inappetence, frequent floating, coughing and scratching their gills with their back leg. Axolotls are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, which can affect their metabolism, feeding, growth, physiological processes, immune response, reproduction, and overall activity. Due to varying and sometimes conflicting information available online, they are often kept at suboptimal temperatures, which can lead to bloat, loss of appetite, and even death. Overfeeding in captivity is common and also deprives axolotls of their natural hunting behaviours. Are axolotls endangered? Yes, axolotls are critically endangered. Can axolotls survive on land? Axolotls are fully aquatic creatures and can only breathe air for a very short period of time. They cannot live on land due to this. When and why did people start buying axolotls as pets? Following the addition of axolotls to the video game Minecraft in June 2021, Google trend reports show that searches for “axolotl for sale” worldwide peaked and interest has remained high ever since with media articles referring to these animals as the latest trend in 2024. In October 2022, pet shelters in New Zealand reported being overwhelmed by axolotls, largely due to misunderstandings about their care. Do axolotls become salamanders? It is extremely rare for axolotls to become salamanders under natural circumstances. Unfortunately, some humans have interfered to induce metamorphosis in axolotls. This can be harmful for the animal, with the potential to cause stress, shorten their lifespan and lead to health complications, such as a weaker immune system and malnutrition due to food rejection. Manage Cookie Preferences