Axolotls in love

[sarah]

Hey guys,
This may seem really stupid, but do you think axolotls can fall in love? I have a male albino and female wild type and they are literally joined at the hip! Do you think they are just bored or lovers?

[Rayson]

Axies tend to get together for reproduction purposes but not because of lust but rather instinctive mating drive. They unfortunately do not fall in love or share the complex emotions of higher species. They are not monogamous and can mate with multiple partners. They are however interactive with their environment and with conspecifics. They have the ability to recognise other axolotls and distinguish them from a fish or a snail and can interact with them (mating, fighting etc.).

[Eva]

Ha! Sounds like humans. I can distinguish my mate from a snail, too - usually. hehehe

Sarah, if you want to see them as in love, why not? Be happy they aren't eating each other's limbs off.

-Eva

[Julia]

I'm not sure its love, but when I had my first two the male seemed protective of the juvenile female gold that I had. He would shield her and herd her if I was doing any tank cleaning. It happened on too many occasions for it to be a random act. I had to rehome her and she was replaced by other axolotl, but he has never done this with any of them.

[sarah]

Ah, it's so odd, I have a massive tank with just those two in it at the moment and they just don't leave each other alone. They hug all day just in the manner humans do.
Mine do a similar thing, the male always ensures that the female eats first. I feed them a worm each per day and if I go to feed the male first he refuses to take it out of my hand unless the female has had hers!
Love them to bits.