Blue Axolotl, Does it really exist??

With axolotls becoming ever more popular it games aimed toward children such as Minecraft, Roblox and no doubt other. It is no wonder that sales for these amazing creatures soared in 2021 and popularity is still on the rise.

Axolotls come in an array of different morphs (colours), so it is no wonder that children are on the hunt for their favourite colour axolotl within the games but also in real life. One morph that we often get asked about is the one based on the image to your left, the blue axolotl, but do they exist?

Sadly, for those hunting for this illusive creature, the answer is no, there is no such thing as a blue axolotl.

So, why are images like the one here so readily available via a simple google search? I mean they do certainly look like the real deal! There are one or two reasons for this. Firstly, and most commonly, photoshop, People love to play around with digital photo editing apps such as photoshop to create images that resonate and stand out to themselves and share them with the world, and with their alterations based on a real axolotl it is no wonder people are led to believe that this creature really does exist.

The other reason is far more sinister and one that came about a few years ago when certain individuals realised that overdosing a leucistic (white) axolotl in a certain medicinal treatment (we will not name this treatment for obvious reasons, however most axolotl owners will know what it is) then this will dye the outer slime coat of the axolotl blue. The severity of the blue colouration depends on the concentrated levels of the drug used, so basically how much the animal has to suffer for a few social media pics! This is not a one-time dye, and the axolotl stays blue, to maintain the blue colour the axolotl would need to be dyed over and over which in turn will eventually lead to their death. This method can be seen as nothing short of a real sadistic form of animal abuse that sadly still does happen.

So, no blue axolotls do not exist within the industry and if you see a company or individual advertising one on a social media platform we urge you to contact the RSPCA and your local axolotl rescue centre so that we can get these people stopped.

Sadly, it’s not the news some of you would have liked to hear but axolotls do come in so many different morphs that you’ll be sure to find one that catches your heart, one that’s definitely not blue!

Please contact Lana or Raveca at Southwest Axolotls for any more information or to report any welfare concerns.