Can Axolotls Come Out Of The Water? 4 Reasons Why They Shouldn’t
Axolotls are fully aquatic creatures that spend their entire lives underwater. If you are a new axolotl owner, you might be curious about whether your pet can survive outside of its tank. The short answer is that while axolotls can technically breathe out of water for a very short time, taking them out is a bad idea.
An axolotl should not be removed from water unless absolutely necessary, like during a tank cleaning or a medical emergency. Even then, the time out of water should be kept as short as possible. Here is why keeping your axolotl in the water is so important and what can happen if they end up on dry land.
Can Axolotls Breathe Out of Water?
Technically, yes. Axolotls have rudimentary lungs in addition to their gills, which means they can gulp air from the surface. You might even notice your axolotl swimming to the top of the tank and taking a quick breath every now and then. This is completely normal behavior.
However, having basic lungs does not mean an axolotl can survive on land. Their gills are their primary way of getting oxygen, and those gills need to stay moist to function properly. Once an axolotl is out of water, its gills begin to dry out quickly, and its ability to breathe drops dramatically.
Most experts agree that an axolotl can only survive outside of water for about an hour at most, and that is under ideal conditions. In a warm or dry environment, that time could be much shorter.
4 Reasons Why Axolotls Should Stay in the Water
1. Respiratory Problems
Axolotls rely on their feathery external gills to absorb dissolved oxygen from the water. When they are removed from their tank, those gills start drying out almost immediately. Dry gills cannot absorb oxygen efficiently, which puts your axolotl under serious respiratory stress.
Even a short time out of water can cause irritation and damage to the delicate gill filaments. Repeated exposure to air can lead to chronic breathing difficulties that affect your axolotl’s long term health.
2. Dehydration
Axolotls have permeable skin, which means they absorb and lose moisture through their body surface. In water, this works perfectly because moisture flows in and out naturally. On land, however, an axolotl loses water through its skin much faster than it can take it in.
Dehydration can set in surprisingly fast. Signs include wrinkled or shriveled skin, lethargy, and a loss of the slimy protective coating that normally covers their body. Severe dehydration can be fatal, especially for younger or smaller axolotls.
3. Stress and Injury
Being out of water is an extremely stressful experience for an axolotl. These animals are not built for life on land, and the sudden change in environment triggers a strong stress response. A stressed axolotl may thrash around, which can lead to physical injuries.
Axolotls also have very delicate skin and limbs. Handling them on a hard or rough surface can cause scrapes, cuts, or even damage to their gills. Their bodies are designed to be supported by water, so gravity puts extra strain on their internal organs when they are on land.
4. Damage to Their Protective Slime Coat
Axolotls produce a thin mucus layer over their skin that protects them from bacteria, parasites, and other harmful organisms in the water. When an axolotl is removed from water, this slime coat dries out and can be rubbed off by contact with surfaces or your hands.
Without this protective layer, your axolotl becomes much more vulnerable to infections when it goes back into the tank. Skin infections and fungal growth are common problems that can develop after the slime coat has been compromised.
When You Might Need to Remove Your Axolotl From Water
There are a few situations where briefly removing your axolotl from water is unavoidable. During a full tank cleaning, you will need to temporarily place your axolotl in a separate container of dechlorinated water. If your axolotl needs medical treatment or a salt bath, you may need to move it to a different container.
In these cases, always make sure your hands are wet before handling your axolotl. Use a soft net or gently scoop them up with a container rather than grabbing them directly. Keep the transfer time as short as possible and always have a container of clean, temperature matched water ready for them to go into.
What to Do If Your Axolotl Jumps Out of the Tank
Axolotls can and do occasionally jump out of their tanks, especially if the water level is too high or if they are stressed. If you find your axolotl on the floor, stay calm and act quickly. Gently pick it up with wet hands and place it back in the tank right away.
Check your axolotl for any visible injuries, dried out gills, or signs of distress. Monitor it closely for the next few days and watch for changes in appetite or behavior. To prevent future escapes, make sure your tank has a secure lid with no gaps large enough for your axolotl to squeeze through.
How long can an axolotl survive out of water?
An axolotl can survive outside of water for roughly one hour under ideal conditions. In warm or dry environments, that time is much shorter. You should return an axolotl to water as quickly as possible to avoid dehydration, gill damage, and stress.
Why did my axolotl jump out of the tank?
Axolotls may jump out of their tanks due to stress, poor water quality, high water levels that make it easy to escape, or simply by accident while swimming near the surface. A secure lid on your tank is the best way to prevent this from happening.
Can you hold an axolotl in your hands?
It is best to avoid handling axolotls whenever possible. Their skin is very delicate and they have a protective slime coat that can be damaged by human touch. If you must handle your axolotl, always wet your hands first and keep the interaction brief.
Do axolotls have lungs?
Yes, axolotls have rudimentary lungs and can gulp air from the water surface. However, their primary method of breathing is through their external gills. The lungs are not developed enough to support breathing on land for more than a very short time.