Axolotl Life Expectancy Is Roughly Halved in the Wild

In the wild, axolotls live for about five years on average, whereas axolotls in captivity live closer to 10 to 15 years under the right conditions.

That longevity is closely tied to their unique biology, including their ability to regenerate limbs, their permanent juvenile features, and the very specific environment they require to thrive.

Axolotls are neotenic, meaning they retain juvenile characteristics like feathery gills, a flat head, undeveloped teeth, and a long tail throughout their entire life.

These larval features are unusual among amphibians, most of which undergo metamorphosis. These special salamanders skip that transformation entirely, keeping their aquatic lifestyle into adulthood.

But longevity isn't just about biology. Habitat plays a huge role. Wild axolotls are now only found in the Xochimilco Lake complex near Mexico City, since Lake Chalco was drained in the 20th century.

Water pollution, invasive species, and habitat loss have made this a hostile place for aquatic animals. In fact, their conservation status is critically endangered.

Axolotls' natural habitat includes canals, lakes, and wetlands, which are now threatened by human activity and urbanization. These areas once teemed with amphibians, small fish, plants, and invertebrates.

Now, many of those species have vanished or declined drastically, taking food sources and biological support systems with them.

In the wild, axolotls feed on small fish, worms, insects, crustaceans, and even tadpoles. Their ability to sense movement helps them catch prey, but pollution and the presence of other species have reduced food availability.

They’re also vulnerable to predators such as invasive tilapia and carp, which outcompete them for food and sometimes eat axolotl eggs.

Their slime coat, which protects them from bacteria and injury, can be damaged by poor water quality or aggressive interactions. Juveniles are especially vulnerable during the early stages of life when they hatch from eggs with little to no parental care. Larvae, despite being tiny, must immediately start hunting microscopic prey.

Captive axolotls, on the other hand, benefit from regular feeding and clean, controlled environments. They’re often fed commercial pellets, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and other protein-rich food.

However, a poorly maintained tank or the wrong type of food can still pose risks. Avoid gravel, which can cause impaction if swallowed. The right tank mimics their natural habitat: cool, oxygen-rich water, hiding spots among plants, and space to swim.

Axolotls are amphibians, but unlike frogs or other salamanders, they remain fully aquatic. They never transition to a terrestrial phase unless forced by extreme environmental conditions or experimental hormone treatments. Their gills stay external and branch-like, used for extracting oxygen from water.

While axolotls don’t require parental care, they do benefit from stable conditions to reach full sexual maturity and breed. Breeding season varies but often correlates with changes in light and temperature.

Axolotls can regenerate limbs, organs, and even parts of their brain. Scientists study this ability in hopes of applying it to human medicine.

This regenerative superpower also helps offset the risks they face from predators and injuries. Regeneration begins shortly after injury and can restore complex tissues like nerves and cartilage.

Unlike other amphibians, axolotls don't undergo metamorphosis unless artificially induced with thyroid hormones. Their unique endocrine system allows them to stay aquatic throughout life, keeping external gills and other larval traits well into adulthood.

This biological quirk makes them excellent models for studying thyroid function and developmental biology.

Their bodies are built for underwater life. Their tails propel them through water, their external gills function like fringed snorkels, and their skin helps absorb oxygen. They use undeveloped teeth to grasp prey rather than chew, relying instead on suction to pull food into their mouths.

The axolotl’s natural range in Xochimilco has been fragmented by urban development and agriculture. Conservation efforts include reintroducing axolotls to protected canals, planting aquatic vegetation, and controlling invasive species.

Some programs also raise captive axolotls for rewilding in restored sections of the lakes. Researchers monitor the breeding season of wild and captive populations to understand reproductive health and maintain genetic diversity.

Pet stores sometimes complicate conservation by marketing axolotls as easy pets, leading to impulsive purchases and occasional releases into non-native environments, where they may threaten local ecosystems or die from stress.

While axolotls have no parental care after laying eggs, conservationists are stepping in to become stewards of the species. Their goal is to preserve not just axolotl lifespan in captivity but also reestablish healthy wild populations in the Xochimilco canal system.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.