Axolotl and Adult form Salamanders

Can they breed?

Hi ARMS,

I think you may be slightly confused about axolotls. Axolotls are neotenic, that means they retain their larval conformation (gills and all) into maturity and adulthood. That is why we often try look at axolotls' toe tips to see if they are maturing. Light coloured axolotls will develop dark toe tips whereas dark coloured axies will develop light toe tips to indicate maturity.

The neotenic axolotl can therefore live its entire life aquatic and breed. They normally do not undergo metamorphosis into terrestrial axolotls (salamander form). Metamorphosis can be triggered partly by genetic predisposition and partly by environmental conditions. However, that said, i really hope you don't attempt to morph yours as that can result in suffering and death of your axie.

I think your question also aims to explore whether an aquatic axolotl can breed with a terrestrial axolotl. My answer would be yes in a theoretical manner. My reasoning is that firstly both aquatic or terrestrial axolotl are the same species and therefore genetically compatible to breed. As long as eggs can get fertilised by spermatophores, i don't see why not. The issue here is "how" the eggs and spermatophores get to meet in the first place. That i would say would pose a hurdle! Furthermore, i really doubt terrestrial axolotls would be readily breeding. They tend to have a shorter lifespan and would usually be likely to expend their energy on the physiological changes from metamorphosis rather than reproducing.

Cheers

Axolotls and their close cousins, the tiger salamanders, can breed together. But as it is with breeding cousins, this seriously messes with the gene pools of both species and is therefore generally frowned upon.

-Eva

So the answer is yes, I thought so
As for the cousin thing, it's not like they're in the same direct family as cousin suggests, 2 axolotl would produce less diversity than a cross of the 2 forms of the same species..kinda like interacial marriages..
Not attempting this just curious!

I certainly can't argue about an axolotl:axolotl breed having limited genetic information. An axolotl:tiger cross would be more like crossing an ape and a human, though. Incidentally, in case you didn't already know, all albino axolotls trace back to just such a cross, between a male (I believe) axolotl and a female, albino tiger.

-Eva