Axolotls are a fascinating type of aquatic salamander that have recently exploded in popularity as pets. With their wide, adorable smiles and alien-like features, it’s easy to see why these creatures captivate the hearts and minds of amphibian enthusiasts worldwide.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Axolotls are indeed cold blooded animals.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll explore whether axolotls are cold blooded in detail. We’ll look at the scientific definition of cold blooded, examine the specific biology of axolotls, and compare them to other amphibians and animals.
By the end, you’ll have a complete understanding of this unique aspect of axolotl physiology.
What Does It Mean for an Animal to Be Cold Blooded?
When we say an animal is cold blooded, also known as ectothermic, it means they rely on external sources to regulate their internal body temperature. Unlike mammals and birds which are warm blooded (endothermic) and able to maintain a consistent body temperature, cold blooded creatures adapt to their environments.
Their body temperature changes with the environment
A key feature of cold blooded animals is that their body temperature fluctuates widely depending on if it is hot or cold outside. For example, on a winter day, an ectotherm like a frog may be close to freezing, while on a very hot summer afternoon their temperature could spike up near that of the ambient environment.
They operate based on the external conditions rather than running hot like humans and other mammals.
They rely on external heat sources
With no internal “thermostat” as we have, cold blooded creatures depend on obtaining heat from their surroundings. When it’s icy out, they soak up what little warmth there is from the air and surfaces around them.
And when conditions turn sweltering hot in the summer, they have adaptations like retreating to shady hiding spots to keep cool and prevent overheating. The availability of comfortable external temperatures is crucial to their functioning.
Examples of cold blooded animals
- Reptiles – This class of animals including lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodiles, and amphibians are the most well-known ectotherms. They commonly sun themselves on rocks and logs to harness heat energy.
- Fish – Most fish species lack the ability to control their own temperature and count on water conditions to set their body heat.
- Insects – Creepy crawlies like ants, beetles, butterflies, and bees fall into the cold blooded camp, relying on radiant heat and environmental shelters.
So in essence, when an animal is described as cold blooded it indicates they depend on ambient heat, rather than their own metabolic functions, to influence their internal temperature. Fluctuations up or down with the habitat conditions are normal as they harness or avoid external sources based on survival needs.
Key Facts About Axolotl Biology
Axolotls are amphibians
As amphibians, axolotls have unique adaptations that set them apart from other vertebrates like mammals, birds, and reptiles. During their life cycle, axolotls go through a larval stage as water-dwelling salamanders before developing into terrestrial adults when conditions are right.
One key aspect of axolotl biology is their ability to regenerate limbs, organs, and parts of their brains. Few other organisms share this ability. Axolotls can regrow entire lost limbs over a period of months. And they can repeat this process again and again as needed throughout their lives.
Axolotls do not have scales or feathers
Instead of scales or feathers, axolotls have moist skin covered in a protective mucus coat. This permeable skin serves multiple functions – it allows them to absorb oxygen from the surrounding water, regulates salts and fluids, and helps them release waste.
An axolotl’s skin comes in a variety of colors like albino (golden), melanoid (black), leucistic (pale pink), axanthic (grey), and the wild-type brown color. Their colors and patterns are determined by pigment cells called chromatophores found in their skin.
Axolotls have moist, permeable skin
An axolotl’s skin lacks scales, feathers or hair. It has a soft and moist texture, coated in a thin mucus layer that protects the axolotl from bacteria and parasites. The skin’s permeable nature serves several crucial biological roles:
Because axolotl skin is so permeable, these amphibians cannot live in dry conditions or chlorinated water for extended periods of time. Providing the right aquatic habitat with cool, non-chlorinated water is essential.
| Skin Color | Description |
| Albino | Golden colored skin and red eyes |
| Melanoid | Jet black skin and dark eyes |
| Leucistic | Pale pink skin with dark eyes |
| Axanthic | Gray skin with black eyes |
| Wild-type | Brown skin with gold irises |
To learn more about the incredible biology and genetics behind axolotl traits, visit the Caudata salamander and newt pet website.
Evidence That Axolotls Are Cold Blooded
Axolotls cannot self-regulate their body temperature
Unlike humans and other warm-blooded animals, axolotls lack the ability to maintain a constant internal body temperature. Their body temperature instead fluctuates according to the temperature of their external environment.
This means axolotls are ectothermic or “cold-blooded” animals that depend on external sources to regulate their internal temperature.
Axolotls thrive in cool water temperatures
Axolotls do best when housed in cool water between 14-20°C (60-68°F). Water that is too cold slows their metabolism, while water that is too warm causes heat stress. Since axolotls cannot self-regulate their temperature, they rely on factors like water circulation, ambient air temperature, and competition with tank mates to maintain their preferred thermal habitat.
Ideally, an axolotl habitat should have areas of slightly varying temperatures so they can move to warmer or cooler spots as needed. But most importantly, axolotls require external controls to keep their water at safe temperatures because their body lacks these internal controls.
This dependency confirms they are cold-blooded creatures.
Axolotls become sluggish in warm environments
When placed in warm water or air, axolotls display lethargic behavior and reduced activity levels. They become still, float motionlessly, and seem to enter a dormant state. This occurs once temperatures near 23–25°C (73–77°F).
Since warm environments prompt this concerning behavior in axolotls, it shows they lack internal thermoregulation to function properly in heat. By contrast, warm-blooded humans remain active even in hot weather because our bodies can cool themselves with sweat.
An owner must carefully control an axolotl’s water temperature to prevent heat stress. Relying on external measures for temperature regulation is a key feature of cold-blooded creatures like these aquatic salamanders.
How Axolotls Compare to Other Cold Blooded Animals
Similarities to other amphibians
As amphibians, axolotls share many traits with frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians. Like their amphibious cousins, axolotls are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external temperatures to regulate their body heat.
With no internal temperature regulation, axolotls are at the mercy of their environment!
Axolotls also have moist skin lacking scales or shells, a larval form of aquatic breathing using gills, and a complex metamorphosis in early development – all hallmarks of cold blooded amphibious life.
Their permeable skin and exposed gills require a fully aquatic habitat to survive the differentiate axolotls from other amphibians that transition to living on land.
Differences from reptiles
While axolotls and reptiles are both cold blooded ectotherms, axolotls differ greatly from turtles, snakes, lizards and crocodilians. Most notably, reptiles develop tough, scaly skin and breathe air with lungs instead of gills.
Reptilian eggs also have internal membranes while amphibian eggs lack these evolved structures.
The complex life cycle of axolotls sets them apart from reptiles which do not have distinct larval phases. Axolotls also regenerate, allowing them to regrow full limbs over time – a feat no reptile can match!
Axolotls versus fish
| Axolotls | Fish |
| Amphibian | Pisces vertebrate |
| Use gills to breathe underwater | Use gills to breathe underwater |
| Experience metamorphosis | Do not metamorphosize |
| Ectothermic cold blooded | Ectothermic cold blooded |
| Regenerate limbs | Cannot regenerate |
While axolotls share some traits with fish like gills and cold blood, they differ greatly as amphibians rather than vertebrates. Axolotls breathe through feathery external tufts, are carnivorous predators, and retain a larval form capable of metamorphosis.Studies show critical genetic and evolutionary differences cement axolotls as amphibians, not fish.
Conclusion
In summary, extensive scientific research and observation makes it clear that axolotls are indeed cold blooded animals. Their physiology and behavior aligns with the definition of cold blooded creatures.
While they share some traits with fellow amphibians, axolotls also have unique attributes that separate them from other cold blooded species. Understanding the cold blooded nature of axolotls allows us to better meet their needs as pets and appreciate these one-of-a-kind salamanders.
