Axolotls may look like friendly smiling amphibians, but are they actually social creatures? Keep reading to find out.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Axolotls are somewhat social and seem to enjoy the company of other axolotls, but they do not form complex social relationships and bonds.
In this nearly 3000 word in-depth article, we will cover axolotl behavior, communication methods, social bonding, ideal housing conditions, whether they are happier in groups or solitary, and more to comprehensively answer the question of just how social pet axolotls truly are.
Basic Axolotl Behavior and Communication
General Temperament and Activity
Axolotls are typically quite docile and not aggressive towards tank mates or humans. They tend to move slowly and spend much of their time resting on the bottom of the tank. However, they can exhibit bursts of energy and activity at times, especially when food is involved.
Axolotls are primarily active during dawn and dusk, so they follow a crepuscular activity pattern.
These amphibians are somewhat social and often seem to enjoy the company of other axolotls. It’s common to see groups of axolotls resting together or swimming gently in the same area. Keeping axolotls in groups can enrich their environment.
Vocalizations and Chemical Communication
Axolotls don’t have vocal cords and are essentially mute. However, males may click their teeth during courtship and all axolotls can hiss as a defensive behavior, perhaps as a warning to potential predators. But sound doesn’t play a major role in axolotl communication.
Instead, axolotls rely heavily on chemical cues. They have an excellent sense of smell and release pheromones to signal dominance, ward off enemies, and attract mates. Their frilly external gills are loaded with sensory cells that detect waterborne chemicals.
Axolotls also use visual cues like tail-wagging and head-shaking to communicate.
Social Interactions and Bonding Between Axolotls
Dominance Behavior and Aggression
Axolotls establish social hierarchies and dominance relationships when housed together. The dominant axolotl will posture with an arched tail and raised gills to signal its status. Subordinate axolotls respond by fleeing or showing submissive body language like a flattened tail.
Fights can break out as axolotls establish the pecking order, with the loser showing flight behavior orSUBMISSIVE body language. These scuffles rarely result in injury since axolotls have poor vision and miss attacks.
However, extended bullying by dominant individuals can stress subordinates, so ample hides and space are needed.
Courting and Reproduction Behavior
During breeding season, male axolotls display complex courtship rituals to entice females. They swim in a snakelike s-pattern with exaggerated leg kicks, rapidly nod their heads, and wave their tails. Females signal receptivity by swimming in front of the male with flattened tails.
Spawning involves the male nudging and stroking the female until she lays eggs that he fertilizes externally. Parents show no further care for their offspring. Interestingly, some females can reproduce without males through gynogenesis.
Recognition of Other Individuals
Studies show that axolotls can distinguish between other individuals, likely using chemical cues. In lab experiments, axolotls spent more time with conditioned “friends” who were associated with food rewards than “foes” associated with an electric shock.
This suggests advanced social recognition, as most amphibians cannot tell individuals apart. However, chemical signals are not perfect identifiers. Closely related axolotls have similar signatures and are treated as kin.
Unrelated but cohoused axolotls also take on community scents making them familiar. Proper space and mellow temperaments help reduce misidentification aggression between unfamiliar axolotls.
Ideal Housing Type for Pet Axolotls
Tank Size and Group Number Recommendations
When it comes to housing pet axolotls, bigger is usually better. Axolotls are active amphibians that need adequate space to thrive. Most experts recommend a minimum tank size of 20 gallons for one axolotl. An additional 10-20 gallons should be provided for each additional axolotl in the tank.
Axolotls are typically fine housed alone or in small groups. Males may fight with other males, so it’s best to avoid housing multiple males together. Females tend to be more social and can be kept in groups. The ideal group size is 2-4 axolotls, depending on tank size.
For 2-4 axolotls, aim for a 55-75 gallon tank. Make sure any tank has enough horizontal swimming space, as axolotls spend more time on the tank bottom than swimming. A long tank, like a 40 gallon breeder, is ideal for giving them room to roam and explore.
Providing Sufficient Personal Space
When housing multiple axolotls together, it’s crucial to provide ample personal space and places to hide. This helps prevent aggressive behavior and stress.
Axolotls are territorial and need their own turf. Break up line of sight by using live or artificial plants and tank decorations. Provide at least two hideouts per axolotl so each has a place to retreat and destress.
Ideal hideouts include ceramic logs, tunnels, and dense plants like anubias and java ferns.
Monitor axolotls closely when first introduced. Look for signs of stress like clamped gills, reduced appetite, or avoiding tankmates. Be prepared to separate any axolotl being excessively bullied or harassed.
With the proper tank size and hideouts, most axolotls can live harmoniously together. But their wellbeing depends on providing sufficient personal space and reducing territorial disputes.
Are Axolotls Happier Alone or in Groups?
When considering getting an axolotl as a pet, an important factor to consider is whether they prefer to live alone or in groups. Axolotls are unique amphibians that can provide great joy as pets, so understanding their social tendencies can help ensure their wellbeing.
Axolotls Tend to be Solitary Creatures
In the wild, axolotls generally live solitary lives and only come together to breed. They are not known to form social groups or bonds with other axolotls outside of reproduction. This suggests that axolotls may be perfectly content being housed alone in captivity as well.
Keeping axolotls singly eliminates competition for resources like food and space. Since axolotls are carnivorous and will eat nearly anything they can fit into their mouths, housing axolotls together runs the risk of one nipping at the gills or limbs of another.
Some Owners Report Success Housing Axolotls Together
However, some experienced axolotl owners report success in keeping multiple axolotls together. This is usually done in a very large tank with extra hiding spots and under close supervision for signs of aggression.
In rare cases, some owners even notice bonds forming between axolotls housed together long term. But there is no research confirming whether axolotls have the capacity for social relationships beyond mating.
| Axolotls Alone | Axolotls in Groups |
|---|---|
| – No risk of nipping or fighting | – Potential for social bonds in rare cases |
| – Less competition for resources | – Risk of aggression and nipping |
As shown in the table, there are both risks and rare potential benefits associated with housing axolotls together. But solitary housing is less risky overall.
The Takeaway – They Can Thrive Either Way
The takeaway is that axolotls can certainly thrive when housed alone, though some experienced owners have success keeping multiple together. Ultimately there is no definitive proof that they prefer one way or the other.
As long as a single axolotl’s environment is enriched with adequate hiding places and mental stimulation, they will likely live a perfectly happy solitary life. And their wellbeing doesn’t depend on having conspecific company.
So axolotl enthusiasts should rest assured that owning just one is totally fine!
Conclusion
As we have covered, axolotls exhibit some social behaviors and tendencies but do not form complex social bonds and communities. They seem to enjoy spending time with conspecifics but also flourish on their own.
The ideal housing situation provides ample space for multiple axolotls kept in harmonious pairs or trios, but solitary axolotls with sufficient environmental enrichment can thrive as well. While not overly social creatures, axolotls do benefit from some carefully-managed social interaction with members of their own fascinating species.
