AxolotlChris
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This question has probably been discussed to no end.. but I'm interested in our members current thoughts on the subject.
I had been looking around the web at information on Axolotls biotope in relation to substrate, when I came across this document: http://www.dinosaurhunter.org/files/app-2007-wings-gastrolith_function_classification.pdf.
It also turns out that Wikipedia uses this document as reference to their section on 'Captive Care' where they state 'There are persistent statements in pet care literature that axolotls cannot be kept on gravel because gravel causes fatal digestive impaction. There is no evidence to support this myth and counter evidence that normal healthy axolotls regularly ingest gravel and pass it without any negative consequences. The axolotl, like many amphibians, may be deliberately ingesting gravel to act as a gastrolith providing buoyancy control and aiding digestion, preventing impaction, rather than causing it. Axolotls deprived of appropriately sized gravel will ingest anything else they can find while attempting to satisfy their instinctive need for gastroliths and this behaviour, combined with lack of appropriate gastroliths, may be a cause, among others, of fatal impaction'
Some of the information in the above linked document show its plausible that gravel is used in trituration of food, also information within this text seems to suggest substrate is used in buoyancy control: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie
Any thoughts ??
I had been looking around the web at information on Axolotls biotope in relation to substrate, when I came across this document: http://www.dinosaurhunter.org/files/app-2007-wings-gastrolith_function_classification.pdf.
It also turns out that Wikipedia uses this document as reference to their section on 'Captive Care' where they state 'There are persistent statements in pet care literature that axolotls cannot be kept on gravel because gravel causes fatal digestive impaction. There is no evidence to support this myth and counter evidence that normal healthy axolotls regularly ingest gravel and pass it without any negative consequences. The axolotl, like many amphibians, may be deliberately ingesting gravel to act as a gastrolith providing buoyancy control and aiding digestion, preventing impaction, rather than causing it. Axolotls deprived of appropriately sized gravel will ingest anything else they can find while attempting to satisfy their instinctive need for gastroliths and this behaviour, combined with lack of appropriate gastroliths, may be a cause, among others, of fatal impaction'
Some of the information in the above linked document show its plausible that gravel is used in trituration of food, also information within this text seems to suggest substrate is used in buoyancy control: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie
Any thoughts ??