Welcome to Axolotls Tulsa Rescue.
My husband Jeremy and I founded Axolotls Tulsa. We are axolotl owners and breeders in the Tulsa area and have recently taken on the challenge of rescuing and rehabilitating some baby axolotls we found at a pet store. They were in unsuitable conditions and appeared very weak. I am starting this blog, to document our journey. If you are interested in the abilities of baby axolotls to regenerate limbs, you might enjoy following our journey as we watch them grow and rebuild.
Eleven babies, all missing at least one digit.
A visit to the pet store
During spring break we took a couple of days away from work to get the kids out of the house. We planned an easy trip, just a few hours away from home. Once we had our lodging arrangements secured we took to browsing opportunities for entertainment. Our interest in axolotls, of course, led us to check out a nearby pet store.
We were actually quite surprised to find that a pet store had axolotls. Generally, we only see them in the homes of other breeders. They were in a typical fish aquarium, swimming and floating around. Tiny little cute things, about an inch long. Maybe we could add one more to our axolotl family? I saw a little leucistic swimming around in the tank and I asked if they would set it aside for us. On our way back home the next day we planned to take the baby home.
After leaving the store, we immediately began sharing our thoughts. We wondered how they were surviving in that fast flow tank, with so much water? The staff said they feed them shrimp. How can they possibly eat enough shrimp in that large amount of water? Maybe they weren't, they did seem a little weak the way the water tossed them to and fro. Together, we realized they surely weren't getting enough to eat, they were dying, and we happened to find the final survivors. The one we placed on hold, might not even survive the night. So, back into the store we went.
While I busied myself counting the axolotls in the tank, Jeremy made arrangements to purchase the lot at a reduced price. We raise axolotls, we can raise them too, and find good homes for them when old enough. It was closing time, so staff worked together to get them collected in individual bags, while we gathered food and supplies.
Back at the hotel, we worked as a family to get a small tank set up, and transfer all the babies to it. Worms were chopped and added to the tank, then we stood by to observe their reaction. They went after the food in a frenzy! The kids and I gathered closer to watch, not realizing just how hungry they really were. That's when we noticed something. They were older than I originally thought. Old enough to have legs, only most of them were missing! Their small size, I'm guessing, was due to malnourishment.
I suppose we reached a moment in which many might have decided to cull the bunch and move on. That thought didn't occur to us. We know that axolotls are known to regenerate limbs. If we give them a healthy environment surely in a few months they can become whole again? We will give it our best effort, learn from the experience, and if all goes well, find homes for these little miracles of nature.
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