A question that often comes up is whether an axolotl can ever naturally go through the process of metamorphosis, without any intervention. This is an interesting question, as a captive axolotl is not quite the same as a wild axolotl. So what does that mean?
Wild axolotls do not go through metamorphosis naturally, but axolotls in captivity can naturally morph on rare occasions because they share some of the genetics of a tiger salamander due to cross-breeding.
Let’s dig deeper and find out why and if this can happen to your pet axolotl.
Can Axolotls Morph Naturally?
Axolotls are pretty unique in that they stay in their juvenile state their whole life and don’t go through the metamorphosis stage to become adult salamanders. The term for this is neoteny, which means that the axolotl matures into an adult which is able to reproduce but remains in its juvenile form. It is neotenous.
So the wild axolotl never goes through this transformation and remains a water creature in the same form as it was when it was a larva. All other salamanders start life in the same way as an axolotl, but they all naturally go through metamorphosis.
Although extremely rare it is however possible for an axolotl that is not wild to naturally morph into a salamander under certain conditions.
This transformation could happen for axolotls in captivity as they have been bred. Years back scientists found that the stock of axolotls they were working with was lacking in genetic diversity and becoming inbred, and prone to disease. To address this they cross-bred the axolotl with tiger salamander, meaning that the genetics of the axolotls now in captivity differs slightly from wild axolotls.
This means that axolotls in captivity very occasionally have a genetic predisposition to morph due to the morphing genes of the tiger salamander. This is quite rare but possible.
If your axolotl does decide to have this rare feature and morph naturally, it will happen between the ages of 5-10 months. A naturally morphed axolotl can expect a full natural life expectancy of 14-15 years. If you are determined not to have the potential of a naturally morphing axolotl, then you can reasonably guarantee this by finding one that is at least 1yr old.
If you do happen to acquire an axolotl that morphs it’s important to inform the breeder. The likelihood is that your axolotl’s siblings will also be morphing. The breeder should not be breeding again with the same parents, as their combination is probably genetically triggering the stronger tiger salamander thyroid hormone production which prompts morphing.
Can Your Axolotl Be Made To Morph?
There are circumstances where it is possible to trigger metamorphosis in an axolotl. Having said that it is important to understand that under normal circumstances this is not natural for the creature, certainly not something to try out, and frankly it’s cruel.
In many cases the axolotl may not even make it through the process, and for those that do may only survive for a year or so, if they are lucky. Bear in mind that an axolotl in its natural pre-morph state could live for 15 years. It is a traumatic and unnecessary process to go through and puts a great strain on the axolotl.
On rare occasions an axolotl is made to morph accidentally by poor or reckless care. Poor, dirty or polluted water conditions can trigger morphing, so it is really important to maintain good water quality with regular testing.
Food can be another trigger. It’s important not to regularly feed your axolotl food that has levels of iodine in it, such as salmon, beef liver, chicken, and shrimp meat. The iodine boosts the thyroid hormone which can trigger metamorphosis.
Because axolotls have underdeveloped lungs it is really unfortunate some people think that is ok to keep them out of water for periods of time. This is not a safe practice and is cruel. While it is possible to ‘gulp’ some air into their lungs it is not sufficient and they need water to breathe properly through their gill system. Not only is keeping them out of the water cruel, but it can also trigger metamorphosis.
| AVOID For Good Axolotl Care | |
|---|---|
| Poor water conditions | ✘ |
| Diet – high in iodine | ✘ |
| Keeping out of water | ✘ |
When Is An Axolotl Not An Axolotl?
Interestingly there are reports of axolotl owners that are shocked that their pet is spontaneously morphing into a salamander. More often than not it turns out that the axolotl has morphed into a tiger salamander, which unfortunately means their axolotl wasn’t really an axolotl in the first place, but a larva tiger salamander.
If you don’t get your axolotl from a known breeder it can be quite easy to be duped into thinking you’re buying a genuine axolotl. Axolotls are likely to have color variants, whereas a pre-morphed tiger salamander will be grey/brown and can be bigger than a typical axolotl.
What Are The Signs Your Axolotl Is Morphing?
| Signs of Morphing | |
|---|---|
| Gills retracting | ✓ |
| Receding dorsal and caudal fins | ✓ |
| Thinning tail | ✓ |
| Loss of toe webbing | ✓ |
| Bulging eyes and eyelid development | ✓ |
| Change of leg shape | ✓ |
| Slime protective coat falls away | ✓ |
The first thing you might notice is the shrinking of the gills. Typically they will contract and kind of curl into the gill slits in the body. Because gill damage and loss is a sign of illness it’s important to not assume morphing and do all the water tests to ensure that is not the case. If your axolotl is not well there may also be other signs of stress that won’t be apparent if morphing is taking place.
The gills will eventually close leaving a neat line where they used to be.
The axolotl’s legs initially stick awkwardly out to the side, which can look slightly unnatural. They go through a process of bones shortening and becoming thicker, with more muscle strength to bear their weight when out of water.
Their tail will start to become thinner after the dorsal and caudal fins have receded. The webbing between the axolotl toes will disappear too.
The axolotl’s eyes will be changing. They will start to bulge with new eyelids forming, and you may see an occasional blink.
The slime coat is no longer required so that will be gradually shed.
Another sign within this whole process is a lack of appetite. Your axolotl won’t eat during the morphing process and maybe for a while after complete transformation.
A really important aspect of morphing is that during the process the immune system of your axolotl is compromised and there is a much higher risk of infection and disease. This is because the initial immune system of the axolotl is broken down and the new immunity is developed for the emerging salamander during the transition.
During this period it is vital to keep the area clean and to try to avoid any contact with the morphing axolotl if possible. Otherwise clean soap-free hands is a must.
Prepare A Container For Your Morphing Axolotl
If your axolotl has started to morph it’s important to adapt their environment so the process can happen safely and without incident. The level of water in their tank can be reduced to accommodate this. The most important initial step is to ensure there is a rock or platform out of the water your axolotl can rest their head on or climb on to. As the metamorphosis is taking place it’s important it has easy access out of the water so it can breathe. There will be a transition between gills and lungs.
Ideally, install a supported container at one end of the tank with some sort of ramp that your morphed axolotl can climb into. The container should have some damp substrate such as cocofiber. This arrangement could be the best because your axolotl is already in a stable cycled tank. Just keep a good eye on any poop and extract it as soon as possible.
This stage should never be forced and your axolotl will come out of the water when it’s good and ready. Apart from the development of the legs, the skin needs to prepare for land, so they will instinctively know when the time is right.
All in all, it will take your axolotl around a month, maybe just under, to fully morph.
What Does An Axolotl Turn Into When It Has Fully Morphed?
Once an axolotl has gone through full metamorphosis it becomes a complete salamander. The axolotl was always a salamander but never moved on from the original larva aquatic state, remaining in that state through adulthood. All other salamanders share the same larva features, but always morph.
How Long Can A Morphed Axolotl Live
A naturally morphed axolotl can live as full a life as an axolotl does, if it’s looked after and remains healthy and happy. This can be around 15 years.
If the axolotl morphing is forced, accidentally or on purpose, there is high risk of not even completing the metamorphosis. If it manages to complete morphing it could live a few months, maybe a year or two. No pet owner wants that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Axolotls have the ability to morph more than once in their lifetime. This phenomenon can occur due to genetic factors, poor water conditions, overcrowded tanks, temperature fluctuations, and other unknown factors. The frequency of multiple morphs and their impact on the axolotl’s lifespan is not well-documented.
Specific signs and behaviors that indicate an axolotl is about to morph include bulging eyes, receding tail and dorsal fin, formation of eyelids, extinction of gills, and thicker and larger legs.
Potential risks or complications during the axolotl morphing process include unsuccessful transformation, inadequate adaptation to land, difficulties in feeding, stress-related health issues, and shorter lifespan due to the physiological changes involved.
Preventing or delaying axolotl morphing is challenging due to its natural occurrence and genetic makeup. However, maintaining optimal water conditions, appropriate tank setup, and avoiding overcrowding may help minimize the likelihood of morphing.
The duration of the morphing process in axolotls can vary, but it typically takes several weeks to complete. Factors such as the age and health of the axolotl, as well as environmental conditions, may influence the length of the transformation.
Final Thoughts
Probably there’s no doubt you originally signed up for an axolotl. So it might come as a complete shock to suddenly be faced with an axolotl that is morphing. It’s quite rare, so embrace it. Your axolotl is still the same pet, it will just walk to you instead of swimming over when it’s feeding time. There is of course a difference in food and care, but enjoy nevertheless!