With their cute smiles and alien-like features, axolotls make for intriguing pets. But those unfamiliar with these aquatic salamanders often wonder – do axolotls bite? Read on as we dive into everything you need to know about axolotl biting behavior.
If you’re short on time, here’s the quick answer: Axolotls can bite, but nipping or biting is very rare behavior for axolotls, especially towards humans. Axolotls have small teeth to grip their prey, but they do not have strong jaw muscles and their bites pose little risk.
The Anatomy Behind An Axolotl’s Bite
Small Teeth Designed For Gripping Prey
Axolotls have around 100 tiny teeth, with roughly 34 on the lower jaw and 60 on the upper jaw. Each tooth is cone-shaped, curving slightly inward to help grip prey. The teeth are closely packed together in multiple rows that run along the jaws.
While numerous, the teeth are quite small at just 1 to 2 millimeters in length. This makes them well-suited for catching and holding onto the small invertebrates and insects that axolotls feed on in the wild.
With their backward facing teeth, axolotls can effectively grasp slippery prey, but the teeth are too small to deliver strong bites.
According to herpetologists, the axolotl’s teeth anatomy serves their feeding strategy as ambush predators. Axolotls lie still on the lake bottom, waiting to swiftly snap up prey that wanders too close.
Since they rely on speed more than strength, the axolotl’s teeth help them swiftly grab prey to prevent escape, rather than deliver powerful bites to crush shelled organisms. Their teeth grip food items long enough for the muscular jaws to manipulate and swallow them whole.
So while axolotls have numerous teeth, they serve a specific function that differs from the large, crushing teeth of carnivorous predators.
Weak Jaw Muscles Limit Biting Strength
In addition to small teeth, axolotls have relatively weak jaw muscles compared to other aquatic predators. According to a 2020 study published in Scientific Reports, axolotl bite force measured just 1.6 Newtons on average.
This places them far below the bite strength of fish like largemouth bass that can bite with over 10 Newtons of force. The modest jaw strength of axolotls matches the function of their teeth for gripping small, soft bodied prey rather than delivering powerful bites.
Part of the reason for their weak bite is the axolotl’s skull anatomy. Unlike bony fish, axolotls have lightweight, cartilaginous skulls with thin jaw bones. Only the tips of the teeth are embedded in the jaws, anchored by soft tissue.
There are also no large adductor mandibulae muscles on the sides of the head to close the jaws with great force. While this flexible, lightweight skull helps axolotls capture prey through rapid suction feeding, it precludes them from having muscles powerful enough for hard biting and crushing.
So for owners wondering “can axolotls bite hard?” the answer is generally no due to their natural anatomy and feeding behavior.
Nonetheless, it’s important to exercise caution when handling axolotls to avoid accidental bites. Though their jaws aren’t capable of inflicting injury, those numerous small teeth can grab fingers and refusal to let go.
To read more about safe axolotl handling techniques, check out this care guide from Axolotl Central https://www.axolotlcentral.com/axolotl-care-guide.
Why Axolotls Bite
Feeding Response
When an axolotl sees movement in the water, its natural instinct is to attack, as they primarily use their sense of smell and movement to locate food. According to experts, the most common reason an axolotl will bite is due to a feeding response when they mistake a finger or aquarium decoration for food.
To avoid potential nibbles, use a long pair of aquarium tongs or soft nets when placing your hands in the tank. It’s also wise to feed your axolotl on a consistent schedule rather than sporadically throughout the day so they learn when to expect meals.
Stress Or Self Defense
Axolotls tend to be peaceful, solitary creatures. But improper tank conditions like too-bright lighting, loud noises, or overcrowding can cause them distress. An anxious or aggravated axolotl may attack out of self-defense.
Make sure your tank has places for your axolotl to hide, adequate plants and caves, proper pH balance, and that water flow isn’t too strong or chaotic. Experts also recommend no more than one axolotl for every 10 gallons of tank space.
Accidental Nipping
While axolotls have decent eyesight directly in front of them, they have poor vision on the sides and back. Their lidless eyes are also prone to damage if poked. When an axolotl detects motion behind them, they may accidentally nip if they assume it’s prey.
Pet owners should avoid making sudden gestures around the sides or back of an axolotl. Gentle, slower movements are less likely to startle them. You can also add smooth aquarium stones and marbles to the bottom of the tank so they can sense vibrations better.
How To Avoid Getting Bitten
Proper Handling Techniques
When interacting with axolotls, it’s important to use proper handling techniques to avoid getting bitten. Always scoop axolotls gently using a soft net, never grab them with your hands. Axolotls have very fragile skin that can easily get damaged or infected from rough handling.
Make sure to support their bodies fully when lifting them out of the water, as they can injure themselves if dropped.
It’s also essential to keep your hands wet when handling axolotls so you don’t damage their protective slime coats. The slime coat protects axolotls from infection and injury, so removing it leaves them vulnerable.
You can wet your hands using aquarium water before and during interaction with axolotls to keep things gentle.
Additionally, limit handling sessions to 5 minutes at a time, as being out of water is highly stressful for aquatic animals like axolotls. If they seem to be struggling or showing signs of distress like gaping, return them to the tank immediately.
Following these precautions will help prevent bites that occur from fright or self-defense.
Reduce Stressors In The Tank
Making sure axolotls’ living environment is free from stress is another key way to avoid bites. Stressed axolotls may be more prone to snap or nip if they feel threatened. Be sure to maintain high water quality by performing regular testing and partial water changes.
The optimal parameters are 64-68°F temperature, 7.4-7.6 pH, and under 0.5ppm ammonia/nitrites.
Additionally, avoid overcrowding and provide plenty of hiding spots like plants and caves. Axolotls require 10-20 gallons of space each as a minimum, more being better. Limit tankmates as much as possible as unfamiliar animals can also stress axolotls out.
By keeping their habitat clean, spacious and enriched, you reduce environmental stressors that can lead to defensive biting.
Supervise Any Interactions With Children
Since kids may not understand proper handling techniques, it’s vital to closely supervise any interactions children have with axolotls to prevent accidental bites. Teach children to be calm, gentle and quiet around the tank instead of tapping loudly or making sudden motions which can startle axolotls.
Demonstrate proper handling to children so they learn to scoop gently with wet hands and support the body fully. Set limits like allowing them only to look but not touch if you don’t think they can follow the rules appropriately based on age or maturity level.
While bites are rare with proper interactions, they can occur simply from axolotls mistaking fingers for food. So supervision ensures everyone remains safe in these interactions. By teaching respectful behavior with axolotls from a young age, children also gain an appreciation for gentle handling of aquatic pets.
What To Do If You Get Bitten
Wash The Wound
If you unfortunately get bitten by your axolotl, the first thing you need to do is wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Use a gentle soap that won’t further irritate the skin. Make sure to wash away any saliva or debris from the axolotl’s mouth that could cause infection.
Wash for at least 5 minutes to ensure any potential bacteria is removed.
After washing, pat dry the area gently with a clean towel. You don’t want to rub the wound as that may cause more damage. Be very gentle as axolotl bites can bruise and damage skin.
Apply Antibiotic Ointment
After cleaning the wound, apply an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin. This will help prevent infection and speed healing. Apply a thin layer across the affected area and surrounding skin.
You can cover the ointment with a sterile bandage or gauze. This will keep the wound protected. Change the bandage daily and apply more ointment each time.
Watch For Signs Of Infection
Keep an eye on the bite for any signs of infection. Some symptoms to watch for include:
- Increasing redness, swelling or warmth around the wound
- Pus or foul-smelling drainage
- Fever or flu-like symptoms
- Red streaks spreading from the wound
If you notice any of these, seek medical care right away. Infections need to be treated with prescription antibiotics. Left untreated, a bite can develop into a serious skin or blood infection.
You should also monitor for symptoms of sepsis like dizziness, shortness of breath, or extreme pain. Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It requires emergency medical care.
Most axolotl bites heal without issues if cleaned and monitored properly. But it’s important to watch for any concerning symptoms just to be safe. Reach out to your doctor if the wound appears infected or you develop any worrying side effects.
Conclusion
While axolotls have small teeth, biting behavior is very uncommon among these calm-natured creatures. By being a responsible pet owner and minimizing stress for your axie, nips should be an extremely rare occurrence. With proper care and handling, axolotls make delightful low-maintenance pets.
