How to morph Axolotls

Hi All,

I've noticed a few photos of morphed Axolotls in the photo gallery and wondered if there was a specific technique to achieving this. I have a collection of Barred Tigers and I think it would be great to be able to add some Mole Salamanders (especially the albino form!!) to the group.

Thanks a lot, Richard in Staten Island.

Forcing a axolotl to morph is not something ANYONE on this forum condones

A morph'd axie is simply either:

1. Bad water conditions. - the axolotl will morph to escape from these conditions.
2. Gentic Mutation.
3. the "Axolotl" isnt a Axolotl, and possibly a tiger hybrid.
4. USe of hormones - special hormones are injected/digested by the animal, which over a period will morph it

Please, do not force your animal to morph, a morph'd axie is a rare occurance, and more often than not, they do not survive.

All i can suggest is to maybe find a morph forsale (good luck to you)

Think of a morph as a freak of nature, from a freak of nature

In a word

"DON'T"

Im with boof axolotls that are induced to morph invariably have very short lifespans so in another word "WHY"

Agreed.
Not a wise idea.

ianclick said:

In a word

"DON'T"

Im with boof axolotls that are induced to morph invariably have very short lifespans so in another word "WHY"

Click to expand...

I'm a little confused. Are you trying to threaten me with this word? I thought this was an informational forum intended to help people who are new to Axolotls (me) to better understand the husbandry of keeping such animals. There are about a thousand better ways that you could have made this comment than by threatening someone you don't even know. I feel sorry for you.

I am a biological researcher by profession. So the only word we know how to ask (and are trained to ask) is "WHY". So that's "WHY".

b00f said:

Forcing a axolotl to morph is not something ANYONE on this forum condones

A morph'd axie is simply either:

1. Bad water conditions. - the axolotl will morph to escape from these conditions.
2. Gentic Mutation.
3. the "Axolotl" isnt a Axolotl, and possibly a tiger hybrid.
4. USe of hormones - special hormones are injected/digested by the animal, which over a period will morph it

Please, do not force your animal to morph, a morph'd axie is a rare occurance, and more often than not, they do not survive.

All i can suggest is to maybe find a morph forsale (good luck to you)

Think of a morph as a freak of nature, from a freak of nature

Click to expand...

Thanks for the good information. I didn't realize that this was a controversial subject and am very happy with the (aquatic) state of my Axolotls as they are (photo attached). I thought if this was commonly practiced and "ethical" to perform, I would give it a try. Now I'm glad I know better.

Take care, Richard.

Hi Richard.

There was no threat mentioned or implied.

I do not understand why anyone would want to force a physiological change resulting in a shortened life span/quality of life, on an innocent animal, That for me, is the WHY?

Over time many people have posted here thinking that forcing an axolotl to moprh would be a neat idea. I am simply saying its not. Its not even a good idea.

So my apologies if the brevity of my reply has left you feeling disenfranchised. It was never my intention.

Usually an axolotl won't even morph if the water conditions are infavorable. It will most likely die. Here's a good article to read http://www.axolotl.org/tiger_salamander.htm

oregon newt said:

Usually an axolotl won't even morph if the water conditions are infavorable. It will most likely die. Here's a good article to read http://www.axolotl.org/tiger_salamander.htm

Click to expand...

Ussually no, but within thread on this site, owners have shown with parameters posted, that bad water can cause morph...

woodsman said:

I am a biological researcher by profession. So the only word we know how to ask (and are trained to ask) is "WHY". So that's "WHY".

Click to expand...

You've indeed stepped into a hot topic. On the one hand are the people who feel it's wrong to alter an animal in a way that shortens its lifespan. On the other hand are the people who feel the need for the novelty of a different-looking animal in their collection, or who just like to tinker with Mother Nature. Obviously, we try to convince the latter people that the former have some sense and that it might be a good idea to reconsider the project. The topic has come up many times.

As a researcher, you have access to better resources than an internet forum. There are plenty of published studies containing details on how to force an axolotl into metamorphosis. You can also get assistance from the AGSC. However, your original inquiry was certainly worded as if coming from a purely hobbyist standpoint. And thus you received the answer this forum would give to any hobbyist wanting to morph an axolotl.

No need for me to add anything to this since I agree with the advice given.