Most likely that axie was bred by the major supplier, housed with 900 other axies in a huge tank and nibbled on since it was tiny. It probably doesn't have gills either. I am furious that an organisation is profiting from animal cruelty. It makes me cry when I see them in the pet shop. And the ignorant people in the pet shops actually buy them. I think this is morally outrageous. And, the sickest thing is when the staff say 'actually they are very popular, we sell so many of them'. Pity that so many of their customers aren't even aware that the axolotl is an amphibian that needs its gills. Sorry for the vent. I am angered by this each time I see a pic like this. As for the gravel, a few people have bought my axies after their pet shop ones died from gravel weeks after purchasing them. And they said that they bought gravel as the pet shop had it and they thought it was OK. I have highlighted to them that Caudata members have needed to report these issues to the RSPCA recently due to similar issues. I'm glad you took pictures and thanks for posting them.