Morphed Axolotl

[freddie1990]

Hi i have three axolotls and had them for a couple of years and i keep coming across morphed ones for sale just wondering if any of you know if keeping them is the same requirements as salamanders i like the idea but would never morph one myself as ive herd its quite cruel and is it true that the life expectancy is very low and id rather not buy into that kind of trade if it is bad,
so basically if i found one that is for sale would he be suffering or be happy the way it is now any comments appreciated thanks.

 

[Sweetie]

Freddie,
You may be opening a real can of worms (ha ha) here. The morphed axolotl discussion tends to get heated. Basically, if an axolotl morphs as a juvenile, life expectancy should be normal. If it happens in adulthood, through poor conditions, life expectancy is very much limited. Forcing an axolotl to morph through poor conditions is very cruel and more often than not causes the creature to die rather than morph. There are other ways to make an axolotl morph, but quite frankly, why encourage people to do this by buying the result? If you want a salamander that morphs, you would normally be advised to get a salamander, but I note you're an Aussie, and so you can't (salamanders are illegal here). So you'll have to do your own research and make your own call. My advice, though, would be to avoid it, as you really have no way of knowing for sure how your morphed axie got that way.

 

[freddie1990]

Thanks for the reply i was guessing as much but just wanted to be sure as i didnt know that much about the subject and as seeing that most are morphed due to conditions i wouldn't go near them as its pretty bad, would be nice to be able to get salamander here though.

 

[auntiejude]

Due to the Aussie rules on foreign and potentially invasive species, tigers and other salamanders are banned in Australia, and the only terrestrial sals available are morphed axies.
Its usually done with hormones, and if done properly is reasonably humane.