Axolotl

Creatures living in nature are very diverse, among them you can meet cute babies and terrible monsters. Modern man is no longer content with cats and dogs as pets, amazing, exotic animals settle in the apartments. One of such pets is an axolotl, the maintenance and care of which is not difficult, just as to surprise friends and acquaintances with an unusual little animal.

Not a little mouse, not a ferret, but an unknown animal

It is safe to say that not all people know about who the axolotl is, but the photos of this funny animal will certainly be interesting for lovers of the exotic. But before acquiring an unusual animal, it is necessary to find out how to keep it, how to feed it, and what conditions to create, so that the axolotl feels comfortable.

In the natural habitat of axolotl - "water monsters" - can be found in several lakes in Mexico. Due to the deterioration of the ecological situation, their numbers are sharply reduced, moreover, the species is listed in the Red Book, therefore, captive breeding allows artificially increasing their numbers.

The Mexican axolotl spends its whole life in water, without getting to the land. To keep it at home you need a large aquarium. Since both male and female (several females) are most often acquired at the same time, the “body of water” must be at least 40 l. In nature, axolotls choose deep places in lakes rich in greenery. Plants are necessary for breeding - sticks of calf are attached to the leaves of the female.

Feeding

The main food that axolotl eats at home is small invertebrates. The diet of growing individuals is diversified with bloodworms, pipe makers; special aquarium feeds are suitable for animals. Adult animals will not refuse meat, cut into pieces, small fish and tadpoles. Axolotls are known to be cannibals, they can attack each other, while the bitten off “limbs” regenerate rather quickly.

Larvae hatched from eggs and young animals should be fed daily, once a day. As they get older, feeding is reduced to 2-3 times a week. Vitamin preparations are added once a month.

Conditions of detention

Water in an aquarium of sufficient volume should be maintained in strict frames:

• The optimum temperature is 18-20 degrees. Axol very sharply react to an increase in temperature, they become passive, lose their appetite, the maximum bar is 24 degrees;
• The pH of the water should be in the weakly alkaline range, from 7 to 7.5;
• the water in the aquarium should be well aerated

Aquatic plants are planted in the ground (sand or gravel).

Breeding

Axolotl is not necessary to keep in pairs, one male coexists perfectly with 2-3 females. A week before mating, the individuals are seated, the temperature is lowered by several degrees. When shrinking return the old conditions of detention. Males lay spermatophores, fertilization occurs. After that, females are recommended to be planted for a day or two before laying off the eggs. As soon as the adhesive tape with eggs will be on the plants, the female is returned to the general aquarium, otherwise she will gladly eat her offspring.

The larvae will appear in about 2 weeks. While waiting for them, it is necessary to maintain the purity of the water in the incubator and remove dead eggs.

Axolotl is an unpretentious animal, diseases arise only from malnutrition. With proper care and care, these pets live in aquariums up to 15 years old, becoming practically full members of the family.