What do axolotls turn into

Hello Abrahm, Some axolotls are actually hybrids of A. I read the other forum made by freakygeaky How did his axolotl turn into a salamander?

Thanks for that Jay! I'm no Ambystoma expert by any means. Interesting to hear the experiment and quite amazing that their paedomorphism can be pinned to one locus. You wouldn't happen to have a reference for that?

I was more referring to the "fact" that the majority of axolotls available are not pure genetic stock and contain some small percentage of tiger salamander parentage. I'm not sure about the veracity of that statement but I thought I saw it from prominent members. You wouldn't happen to have a reference for that I look at? Jamesthenewt said:. Kal El said:. Sure do :happy:. So is there any evidence suggesting that offspring of axolotls that metamorphose in later life have a higher occurence of metamorphosis, or is it more an environmental factor?

Basically, the only way to 'force' an axolotl to morph is to not look after it properly, which I'm sure you wouldn't want to do!

It's extremely stressful and often kills the animal, if it does happen to survive the experience then it's life expectancy is greatly shortened. You seem very interested in getting your Axie to morph. My advice to you is if you want an animal that morphs from aquatic to land then buy a tiger salamander.

Kaysie Site Contributor. Even if you don't look after it properly, chances are it will die rather than morph. Kaysie said:. Hi James, I am thinking that you are quite happy having an axolotl and are worried about it morphing into a salamander. If you follow the advice you have been given about a clean and healthy habitat for your axie then there is only a very slim chance your axolotl would morph naturally. So don't worry, just keep on doing what you are doing and do keep asking questions its the best way to learn.

Daniel Site Contributor. Experiments of this degree have been carried out. Although, I must admit that that they are rather old. You must log in or register to reply here. Log in. Install the app.

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Options View top chatters Open in popup. No one is chatting at the moment. Phil : 'Fairy Shrimp' - is a pretty general term. Brine shrimp are in this category as are many others. Since brine shrimp make decent food for babies, I suspect that other types of 'fairy shrimp' would also be useful. There are some like the brine shrimp that only grow in very salty water.

In the wild, axolotls only live in the Xochimilco lake complex, which is located near Mexico City. The salamanders may be found on the bottom of the lake and its canals. The axolotl is a neotenic salamander, which means it doesn't mature into an air-breathing adult form.

Neoteny is favored in cool, high-altitude environments because metamorphosis requires a huge energy expenditure. Axolotls can be induced to metamorphose by injection of iodine or thyroxine or by ingesting iodine-rich food.

Axolotls are carnivores. In the wild, they eat worms, insect larvae, crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks. The salamanders hunt by smell, snapping at prey and sucking it in like a vacuum cleaner. Within the lake, axolotls had no real predators. Predatory birds were the biggest threat.

Large fish were introduced into Lake Xochimilco, which ate the young salamanders. Much of what we know about axolotl reproduction comes from observing them in captivity. Captive axolotls become mature in their larval stage between 6 and 12 months of age. Females typically mature later than males. The increasing temperature and light of spring signal the start of the axolotl breeding season. Males expel spermatophores into the water and try to lure a female over them.

The female picks up the sperm packet with her cloaca , leading to internal fertilization. Females release between and eggs during spawning.

She lays each egg individually, attaching it to a plant or rock. A female may breed several times during a season. The tail and gills of the larvae are visible within the egg.

Hatching occurs after 2 to 3 weeks. Larger, earlier-hatching larvae eat smaller, younger ones. The axolotl is a model genetic organism for regeneration. Salamanders and newts have the highest regenerative ability of any tetrapod 4-legged vertebrates.

The incredible healing ability extends well beyond replacing a lost tail or limbs. Axolotls can even replace some parts of their brains. In addition, they freely accept transplants including eyes and brain portions from other axolotls. Wild axolotls are headed to extinction. They are listed as critically endangered by IUCN. In , no surviving axolotls were found in the Lake Xochimilco habitat, but then two individuals were found in the canals leading from the lake.

The decline of axolotls is due to multiple factors. Water pollution, urbanization loss of habitat , and introduction of invasive species tilapia and perch may be more than the species can withstand. However, the axolotl won't vanish! Axolotls are important research animals and fairly common exotic pets.

They are uncommon at pet stores because they require a cool temperature, but may be obtained from hobbyists and scientific supply houses. A single axolotl needs at least a gallon aquarium, filled no exposed land, like for a frog , and supplied with a lid because axolotls jump.

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