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How to tell if sexually mature?

Sylerwin

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I bought my first axolotl from a pet expo in February. He was around 3-4 inches long then. The guy didn't seem like answering my questions and just wanted the money so I have no information on how old he is. He's around 6.5 inches now.
I recently bought 2 juveniles from a very well informed owner who tried breeding for the first time, and the two I got from her were born in this last October, so I know how old they are. They were around 2 inches when I got them late March, but they've already caught up to my other guy in size--much quicker to grow than my first axie.

I read somewhere that you can tell that they're mature when the tips of the toes start to darken, but of course, the one I'm curious about is black in color. :rolleyes:

Is there a way to tell if an axie is mature when they are darker?
Thanks. :happy:
 

Quentari

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Dark ones get white toes :) and they seem to change colour more when they've stopped growing rather than the sexual maturity. If you're hoping to breed them though I hear you should wait until they are about a year and a half :)
 

layna

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Definatly toe colouring, mine is 6 and 1/2" and is 8 motnhs old, but i think he grew slow haha :D
My others are 5 and 1/2" and are around 6 months old.
 

Quentari

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Oh and as a reference I'm guessing mine were between 9-11 months when they stopped growing (all between 23-26cm long now!) and all have coloured toes :)
 

Kaysie

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Toe tips are not an accurate representation of sexual maturity.

Really, the only way to tell for sure is when you see eggs/spermatophores. Most will reach sexual maturity within a year (but some will take 18 months or more!), and around 7-8 inches in length.
 

Morrison

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As far as I know.... black toe tips don't have anything to do with sexually mature axies, but it's a sign of them 'growing up'. I've seen it on young axies too and they didn't look sexually mature'ish to me.

And I agree with Kaysie.
 
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