Young axolotl behavior

[Nancy Haggerty]

I have 9 axolotls six weeks old ranging from 3.5 to 1.5 inches. Eating fine and all is good. Except one wildtype 2 inches long has had one front leg nipped off and one back foot. This one is not my smallest but is the one that seems to be picked on the most by the others I know at this age they can cannibalize others but this is the only one. Will axolotls intentionally go after another axolotl that may have some sort of unseen inferiority as other animals can? Now that I have had my first axolotyl injury how long will it take for these limbs to grow back?

 

[Bette]

Separate the injured axolotl. It will be more likely to suffer another bite if left with the others because it may not be as quick as the others. Usually limbs will grow back within a month or so.

 

[Bette]

Young axolotls should always be separated by size in order to prevent them viewing one another as lunch.