If you didn’t know already, these beautiful endangered salamanders called Axolotls have very distinct and tailor-made health care routines that need to be followed. This is also the reason why it is so rare to find someone who has Axolotl as a pet.
Another reason for people to not adopt this slippery friend as a pet is that they are afraid of their exotic lizard-like features and any potential dangers that may come along with it such as biting or poisoning.
Inexperienced people or even first-time owners may second guess their decision to bring home an Axolotl.
Well, Axolotls do have a tendency to bite things that come in close contact with them. But this in no way implies that these creatures are dangerous or aggressive in any form.
They can be adorable home pets and just the sight of them can cheer up people’s moods. It is important to note that none of their body parts are poisonous nor are their bites venomous.
In very rare cases, these creatures may carry diseases like Salmonella. But this is pretty common in most amphibians and it only affects people with weaker immune systems.
Practicing proper hygiene like washing your hands after touching an Axolotl will help in keeping these risks at bay.
But Do Axolotls Bite?
Axolotls do bite anything and everything that goes near them, but the harm from their tiny fangs is minimal. Axolotls only hunt for food or nip in self-defense; they are not hostile toward people.
Read on to learn more about the causes of axolotls’ peculiarly aggressive behavior when you choose to scratch them off your list of ideal pets.
Why Do Axolotls Bite?
Axolotls are not inherently evil, violent, or greedy eaters. They are just slippery amphibians. Axolotls bite merely because of their innate tendency to view all moving objects as potential food sources.
Additionally, the likelihood that an approaching entity is food increases with much less of a threat it poses.
You see, axolotls are native to a habitat where they are a dominant predator. A vibrant underwater ecology may be found in the Xochimilco Lake, which is where axolotls first appeared.
Yes, they have only been discovered in the wild here on Earth. Wild axolotls are the dominant species in this lake because it lacks many large predators. They only have one purpose in life: to eat. They are not designed for violence or fear.
Therefore, each time you reach the aquarium to transfer them, you need to prepare for your finger to get bitten. Axolotls do, however, have relatively soft and short teeth.
In other words, you won’t experience much agony from an axolotl bite. Most of the time, their bite doesn’t even puncture the skin, so there won’t be any bleeding.
What To Do If You Get Bitten?
You should always be prepared to get bitten as you place your hands in your Axolotl’s tank. However, since an axolotl bite produces little pressure or pain, there shouldn’t be any concern about getting hurt.
It’s a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence for your finger to bleed from an axolotl’s bite because their fangs aren’t even piercing enough to pierce human flesh.
1.) Any parent, though, will advise you to plan for any and all contingencies. After using an alcohol swab to disinfect the bite, cover it with an antibacterial bandage.
2.) As an axolotl parent, you should remember that they are far more afraid of you than they are of them. Therefore, you shouldn’t panic about yourself if an axolotl bite results in a bleeding finger. Check on them to help ensure your axolotl hasn’t unintentionally suffered harm.
3.) Axolotls can repair damaged tissue, including limbs and organs, although this is the last resort technique that takes time. For the welfare of the animal, treating them carefully has always been the best option.
4.) Washing your hands properly with an antiseptic solution is the most fantastic option to do both before and after sticking your hand inside your axolotls’ tank.
That will protect you from illnesses like salmonella and will also be the most acceptable preventative action you can do to protect your cherished pet from any diseases.
Care Instructions for Axolotls
If you’re seeking a new cuddling mate, an axolotl is not your typical pet. Despite their snappy disposition, these little critters are entirely aquatic and won’t survive in the air for very long.
Axolotls are challenging to handle, just like fish. Naturally, if you need to take it out of its tank, you can try to do it carefully. Make sure you immediately re-immerse them in another clean water source. You may even hand-feed them if you want to establish a relationship with your axolotls.
The skin of axolotls is fragile and slimy. Therefore, you should always proceed with extreme caution. Additionally, because of their sensitive constitutions, you must be cautious when caring for these amphibians.
Axolotls lack a protective covering of skin on their bodies, a vital detail to keep in mind when studying them. This makes them vulnerable to injury, but it doesn’t exclude them from recovering. Axolotls can create new organs and even limbs that have been amputated!
Although the axolotl is conscious of you and doesn’t avoid your contact, it is still advised that you avoid holding them for an extended period because doing so increases the risk of infection for your pet.
See also: 9 Best Plants For Axolotls
Which Axolotl Areas Should You Refrain From Touching?
Your axolotl’s head and gills are the most delicate parts of their body. Even when these sensitive places are damaged in fight-related injuries, it may result in the death of the axolotl.
1.) Gills: Your axolotl’s breathing capacity might be hampered if their gills are damaged. However, they can regenerate their gills throughout time and boost their oxygen consumption by inhaling air from above the water’s surface, much like whales do through their blowholes.
On the other hand, the axolotl’s gills are its Achilles’ Heel. Your pet will behave as though it has been seriously damaged even if you take great precautions to avoid hurting it. Your axolotl’s vulnerability is there, and if you accidentally touch it, you’ll accidentally scare out your axolotl.
2.) Head: Another part of the axolotl’s body that is extremely valuable to your pet is its head. Axolotls’ heads shouldn’t be touched because they don’t appear to enjoy it.
When you try to grab their head directly, they frequently flee. You may thus conclude that this is either a weak area for the axolotl or that anything that comes straight at their head would put them in great danger.
What To Know About Their Habitat And Maintenance?
Despite the fact that axolotls aren’t exactly cuddly, there seem to be a lot of things to keep in mind about their habitat and maintenance. Axolotls are not friendly creatures. Therefore, you may be confident that your axolotls will bite you and the other axolotls.
1.) If you put smaller fish in your axolotl’s tank, you should be prepared to witness the mayhem. This might not harm you or any other axolotls quite as much.
These critters aren’t harmful to you, but if their region is violated, particularly by anything tiny than they are, you’ll discover that your axolotls become extremely voracious feeders of the nearby wildlife.
2.) Keeping larger fish close to your axolotls is also not a good idea. Axolotls like a good battle and do not compete on the basis of size.
3.) Therefore, if you keep your amphibian near fish, you run the risk of endangering it severely. Axolotls should never be kept with fish, regardless of the fact that these bigger fish do not consume other animals.
