Have you ever come across Axolotls? When you first take a good look at them, you wonder what they are. A lot of thoughts and ideas cross your mind. You wonder whether it’s a bird, a fish, or a Pokemon. Well, it’s an amphibian.
Looks-wise, the Axolotl is weird, but there are some amazing facts that you ought to know. The very first explorer found the axolotl near a lake. They have distinctive physical features, so it is not too hard to spot them.
If you come across a wild Axolotl (very rarely) or a pet one, there will be many questions in your head. One of them is the following – Can my axolotl hear me?
Axolotls can hear, but it’s rudimentary. The ear system is quite different from the ones human beings have. An Axolotl is good at detecting low-frequency sounds.
Wish to know more? Here’s an article that answers all your queries related to axolotls and their hearing power. Let’s dive right in!
Can Axolotls Hear?
Since axolotls live in water, many homeowners would wonder whether these creatures can actually hear.
The truth is they CAN hear. Their ears are not similar to the ones human beings have. The ear system is quite different; thus, the ability to hear won’t be the same as human beings.
They don’t have ears as such – they hear the vibration. The hearing system of an axolotl is similar to a whale. You would need to speak louder to get the attention of the axolotl (don’t blast music right next to it, it will startle your axolotl).
When a human being speaks, the axolotl hears vibrations and not exactly words per se.
Besides having poor eyesight, axolotls have low hearing power. In fact, they hear but not in a way that human beings think.
Let’s say you tap on the aquarium – the axolotl will be able to hear the vibration. They will turn and look at you. Some people actually talk to their axolotl, and it brings them joy because the amphibian turns to them and stares for long like they’re listening.
If you wish to know more about their hearing ability, take a quick look at this video where Frankie is explaining how the axolotl’s hearing system works.
Music & Axolotls: Can they hear it?
Although axolotls are calm and silent creatures, there are instances where their parents/owners played soft music. Soft music can be peaceful for an axolotl. Here’s a quick video of an axolotl feeling calm and composed once soft music was played.
In fact, animal enthusiasts have made playlists to calm their axolotls. There are some relaxing and soothing songs that bring a fair bit of peace to the room. It can be quite calming for your axolotl.
Once again, when you play music, the axolotl hears vibrations.
Can Axolotls Hear Voices?
Axolotls can hear vibrations. They won’t be able to pick up words or phrases.
They will be able to hear human voices but not in a way you think. It will reach them through vibrations.
You might wish your axolotl could understand you, but the truth is, they cannot make out the sounds you make.
When you speak to a dog or a cat, they start understanding what you mean. There are some words that they pick (thanks to positive reinforcement) and come to you whenever you say that word.
You teach your cat and dog how to sit, fetch, play, eat, or drink, but an axolotl can’t do that. Can you tell a salamander to sit, stand, or eat? You can’t! How do you communicate with them if they can’t really make out what you’re saying?
Here’s something you can do:
Whenever you place something on the lid of an aquarium, make a thumping sound so that they swim up and see what you’ve kept.
They can hear sounds in the form of vibrations. If it’s feeding time and you want them to come up, a thumping sound would help you grab their attention.
How do axolotls communicate?
You might have seen animals communicating with each other in a number of ways.
They use howls and calls. Whether it’s birds, foxes, tigers, dogs, or any other animal, there is some form of communication.
But, communication with an axolotl is tricky. They don’t communicate with howls and calls like other animals.
The axolotl secretes a chemical trail to communicate with their kinds. The trail they leave is more common during the mating stage. Besides, axolotls are not keen communicators. They like to be alone, so communication will be rare.
Since they don’t do much to communicate with others – how do you know they’re stressed?
As you move forward, you will come across the answer to this query. Let’s jump to the next section!
How to know if your axolotl is stressed because it won’t hear you even if you ask it?
They can’t answer you back because they can’t make out words and they can’t whine or cry like other pets.
But, there are reasons that stress them out and they have their subtle ways to show they’re under stress.
1.) One of the reasons that Axolotls can get stressed is if their parents/owners overhandle them, lift them, and pet them.
2.) Ideally, you should not be touching the axolotl or petting them because they’re solitary creatures.
3.) They are not meant to be played with. However, you can grab their attention by making some sounds like a thump or a soft knock on their aquarium.
If your axolotl is stressed, their gills will curl up. Keep a close watch on the axolotl’s behavior – there will be some signs that showcase they’re stressed out.
An unhappy or stressed salamander will showcase these signs:
1.) Gills will be close to the head or curled. The gills will also be tense; thus, you should keep a very close watch on the appearance of these.
2.) Is the tip of the tail curled up? This basically means your axolotl is tensed. Check the temperature or the flow of the water in case they are showing signs of discomfort.
3.) Yellow or white spots on the body are uncommon. This could mean that your salamander/axolotl is suffering physically. Get a veterinary doctor on board to check your axolotl’s health because markings or spots are not exactly common.
If you want your axolotl to be happy, you need to ensure their surroundings are clean, the temperature of the water, and the flow is right. Once these are perfect and you don’t startle them by screaming next to them, your axolotl will be happy.
TOP 4 Auditory Facts about Axolotls You Should Know
As an axolotl parent or owner, you might want to know the four auditory facts about them.
These will be quick and easy to remember, so dive right in.
#1 Axolotls have a complex hearing system
Axolotls aren’t like human beings. They won’t hear words or phrases like a dog or a cat. The axolotls can hear low-frequency sounds and they’re also sensitive to ground-borne vibrations.
Loud noises for straight 48 hours can make your axolotl temporarily deaf!
#2 Axolotls can’t hear voices
Axolotls cannot hear voices and don’t have vocal organs. However, they can hear vibrations.
They make some form of noise, but calling it noise or sound will be amusing because these creatures are quite silent. If you want a little more peace at home, axolotls are great to have.
#3 Axolotls don’t have eardrums
Axolotls don’t possess eardrums which explain their inability to hear voices and music. Perhaps the vibration of music and your voice calm them down, but they cannot actually hear what it is.
#4 Axolotls are not deaf
Axolotls can hear you in some way. They are not exactly deaf. If you make a thumping sound in the aquarium, you will be able to catch their attention.
Fun Fact: Axolotl are The Masters of Regeneration
You might think axolotls are a figment of your imagination (due to their Pokemon-like appearance), but they’re very real. You can find them in Mexico City.
Axolotls hail from Mexico, but there’s a legend behind their name. Did you know that Axolotl is the Aztec god of lightning and fire? This particular god disguised himself as a poker or a salamander so that nobody could sacrifice them.
The Mexican amphibians have the ability to regenerate their lost limbs. This allows them to stay young for a significant part of their lives.
Don’t just believe us! Here’s a little video that explains why axolotls are known as the ‘masters of regeneration.’
FAQs
1. Do axolotls make noise?
Axolotls are silent creatures. There are no growls, howls, barks, or mating calls. They leave a chemical trail to communicate with others.
Even if they made sounds or noises, we cannot hear them because they will be underwater. The tank’s filtration system might make more noise than the axolotl in it.
2. Do axolotls like loud music?
Axolotls can’t really hear music as we hear them. They hear vibrations, but that’s about it. They won’t enjoy music like we do, certainly, not loud music.
3. Can you pet an axolotl?
It is not ideal for you to pet an axolotl. They get stressed if there is excessive handling.
Axolotls are best seen from a distance. They aren’t like dogs or cats who need excessive love and caring.
Leave them alone in case you plan to keep them in the house. If you are going to an aquarium or a zoo, don’t try to touch axolotls.
4. Where can you see axolotl?
Axolotls can be seen in aquariums, exotic pet stores, and zoos. They are also commonly seen in Mexico, especially in the wilderness.
5. Are axolotls friendly creatures?
Axolotls are solitary creatures – they like to be alone. They are not really interested in making human contact.
In fact, they don’t like being with their own kind unless they’re in the mating stage.
It doesn’t mean they’re unfriendly. They just like peace and if they like you, they will let it be known in their own ways.
See also: What Color Will My Axolotls Be? (17 Colors)
Concluding Thoughts
With this, we come to the end of axolotls and their hearing power. To conclude, axolotls are silent and solitary amphibians.
They won’t talk to you or communicate the way you want them to. You can’t hear them bark, howl, or call you.
However, whenever the axolotl comes on the surface of the water to gulp some air, there might be a little sound. It could indicate that there is some issue with the flow of the water, the temperature, or the cleanliness level.
You need to take this as a sign that they’re communicating with you. In case you want to grab their attention to feed them or just have a little eye contact, a thumping sound or some form of noise close to the aquarium will help you do so.
