Do you love aquariums?
If so, join the club! After all, having the chance to observe aquatic life up close is fun and educational.
The key is to pick the perfect fish and other types of lifeforms to populate your little underwater world with, and then learn how to care for them.
One of the most mysterious and intriguing creatures to put in your aquarium is called an axolotl.
And yet not many people are familiar with this type of animal life. Plus, it can be confusing to differentiate between male vs female axolotl. Fortunately, this article can help.
Here we take a look at how to identify axolotl sex so that you can tell them apart. Keep reading to learn more.
The Basics
Let’s start by answering the question, “What is an axolotl?”
In the most basic terms, an axolotl, or Mexican walking fish, is a species of salamander.
Due to a rare condition known as ‘neoteny’, axolotl retain most of their larval features for most of adulthood. Thus they closely resemble a tadpole.
These creatures are carnivores, thus they survive primarily on a diet of insects, mollusks, crustaceans, certain species of small fish, and worms.
Axolotl is often mistaken for fish, but they are actually amphibians that spend their entire lives in water.
Here’s a great resource where you can find wild axolotl for sale.
How to Tell Male From Female
There’s no denying that axolotl is a strange-looking little creature. And the truth is that both sexes look very similar. But they aren’t exactly the same.
So, how can you differentiate between a male or female axolotl?
The easiest way to identify the sex is to wait for it to mature. This is when they reach breeding age.
The biggest difference you’ll notice between the male and female axolotl is how they behave during the breeding process.
The males wiggle their toes and lay sperm cones around the tank. Whereas the female axolotl follows them around, placing their noses against the male’s cloaca.
The Cloaca
Both the male and female axolotl have a body part called the cloaca. It’s located behind their back legs, at the tail end.
Keep in mind that the cloaca on the female is shorter than on the males, making this the easiest way to identify each sex.
A Guide to Identifying Male vs Female Axolotl
It’s no secret that kids love to watch fish and other types of aquatic life exploring their natural habitat.
Fortunately, this guide to understanding the difference between male vs female axolotl will help take your kids’ enjoyment of these exotic creatures to the next level.
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