Question: How old is the Oldest Axolotl?

[racheljritchie]

Hi i was just wondering how old people's Axies are. Mine are 2.5 Years old. I know they say 10-15 Years if looked after well but i wondered who has had the oldest (living or past) My little boy is going through a phase of panicking about our pets/people etc dying and asked me how long they live (he was happy to hear 10-15 yrs).

It just made me wonder if anyone has had one live to 15?

Looking forward to your replies

 

[Lemi]

It's been a while, and I don't remember where, but I've heard of up to 25 years. I'm guessing that happens when someone really knows how to take care of them being that it can be difficult to find vets or good information. They're not yet a household pet like a dog, so a lot of misinformation gets around. (Sand is bad for gills)

 

[Jennewt]

I'm surprised that no one else has replied to this. Surely (I hope!) there must be some long-lived axolotls out there! I raised mine from eggs obtained in April 2004, so they are 9 years old right now.

The best data I know of are here:
http://www.pondturtle.com/lsala.html
with the oldest axolotl being 17 years

 

[melfly]

Mine are only 4.

Why is sand bad for gills?

Mel

 

[Dipsy66]

(Sand is bad for gills)

Why is it bad for the gills?...mine seem so happy plodding around on the sand and I love seeing the footprints they leave behind. I feed them on a flat shell so they don't ingest the sand......

Pray, enlighten me....I'm a newbie and willing to learn as want what's best for my axies.

 

[Gangsterluff]

I think, correct me if I'm wrong here though, that saying sand was bad for their gills was being used as an example of the misinformation that has been given about axolotls.

 

[ellalucy]

my axolotl is at least 25, probably older as he was fully grown when my mum got him when she was 10. she is now 35 and he is alive and still going

 

[auntiejude]

My oldest is 7 years.