Every animal would be a prey or a predator themselves, and this is no exception when it comes to the axolotl as well. This is a normal linear food chain even with other animals.
When it comes to axolotls, some of its natural and unnatural predators would include birds like herons and storks, bigger invasive fishes such as tilapia and carps, and last but not least, us – humans.
Axolotls used to be at the top of their food chain from their one and only natural habitat, Lake Xochimilco, boasting the fact that they have almost no natural predators at all.
These bottom-dwelling creatures spend most of their time at the bottom of the lake, by doing so, minimizing the threat of any other potential predators out there.
To those who wish to understand more about these adorable pokemon-like creatures, who are their natural predators, unnatural predators, why are they being targeted by humans, and what do axolotls do to avoid being under the spotlight of their predators, feel free to stay on as I will share with you more below.
List of axolotls’ natural predators
Here is a list of natural predators an axolotl would be prone to encounter if it were to be living in its natural habitat. I will also attach pictures of these predators respectively for easy reference.
#1 Stork
Storks are considered to be large wading birds that are carnivorous. They feed on practically anything that they can fit their mouth with. This bird has the advantage with their long-legs which allows them to have a skyscraper perspective and prey on smaller fishes, frogs, insects and our cute axolotls.
With an acute sense of sight, long neck, and their long stout bills, their usual hunting grounds would be shallow lakes where they will stand still to stalk for their preys.
As the axolotl begins to rise to the surface of the water to take air, the stork, being undetected, will strike them off guard.
#2 Herons
Herons have almost identical hunting styles to storks as they hunt for their food. Leveraging on their long legs, these coastal freshwaters would move stealthily, remaining undetected by any fishes at shallow lakes.
As fishes break into the water surfaces, and if it is within striking distance, the heron will take its chance to strike and they usually swallow head first if it is a small size fish.
If it deems that the prey cannot be swallowed they will grip it with their bill to the shore where they will stab it with its sharp bill to ensure that it is dead.
For bigger herons, they would have no problem swallowing axolotls, but for medium-sized herons, they might have to take multiple strikes before feeding on it.
#3 Carps
Carps are omnivorous freshwater fishes that are being domesticated by farmers into lakes and ponds. They are relatively easy to care for, considered to be food fishes, and are deemed as one of the staple food sources for people.
As soon as carps were being introduced into the lake where axolotls live in, juvenile axolotls would be their first target if it can fit into their mouths, else their next go-to favorite would be the axolotls’ eggs.
Carps feed through a sucking motion and practically everything else with it.
#4 Tilapias
Tilapias would be another common species of freshwater fish which is highly sought after by farmers. They usually thrive in shallow ponds, lakes, and streams.
Farmers had their eyes laid on tilapias back in the early 2000s because they were the 4th most consumed fish in the US. Also an invasive fish species, they are low in costs, easy to prepare and they help feed on mosquito larvae which can cause malaria.
Since larvae are a food source for them, it is no surprise when it comes to small sized axolotl and axolotl eggs.
#5 Humans
Why are humans considered to be their predator as well?
First and foremost, due to the fact that their popularity as pets has soared over the years, people see a demand for it and some are willing to travel miles to Lake Xochimilco just to harvest the wild axolotls in the exotic pets industry.
In some cases which irks me the most, countries such as Mexico, Japan, and China, axolotls are considered to be a delicacy.
Apparently, they are being bred by commercial breeders easily, sold to F&B stores where they will serve axolotls fried or steamed. This is really saddening and distasteful to me.
How are we the culprits that destroy their habitat?
Humans are mainly one of the key reasons which led to the destruction and declined population of axolotls.
They were the ones who introduced invasive fishes for their survivability and to farm them. Humans are the ones who manually drained lakes in fear of recurring floods that are happening most of the time.
Pollution is the next harmful thing to do. Humans pollute as and when they can, without thinking of the consequences and the negative effects that might promote contamination and are harmful to the environment.
These harmful toxins that excrete out from loose cigarette butts, leftover spillage from canned drinks, food remnants, and garbages that would disintegrate into hazardous liquids that are left floating around these lakes where axolotls reside in.
All of these led to the desecration of the axolotl habitat, and soon after, this chain of events led to the decline in axolotl numbers.
How axolotl defend themselves from predators
Fellow axolotl keepers like myself, know that they are soft to the touch and very delicate. As I have mentioned earlier, the reason being they are used to not having any natural predators from their natural habitat in the past.
It would make so much sense that without any natural predator, there isn’t a need for them to develop any defense mechanism or any physical attribute to protect themselves.
But if they sense danger, from what I observe in a tank setting, what they will do is to dart through waters with fast speeds in hopes to avoid being caught by any sharp beak or predatory fishes.
The anatomy of an axolotl really has no defenses set up for them to make use of, their gills are protruding externally, they do not have eyelids, and their body is soft throughout. I would highly recommend to house them alone, or with their same species, else kept with non-invasive fishes if you really want to.
Whats the bottom line?
Having gone through what I deem are some of the axolotl’s natural predators and unnatural predators, how they are being devoured and hunted. They are really not built to defend themselves against any possible threats in the wild.
I strongly believe that humans should take a step further by helping to preserve them, else have a natural enclosure where natural predators are scarce and axolotl breeders can contribute to maintaining its population by releasing a portion of their batch once they are of suitable age, also as efforts to conserve them.
Before I conclude this article, I would like to touch on the controversial topic as to how humans have the decency to eat it as a snack or an exotic dish really displeases me.
People who have eaten axolotls before simply do not feel or have any compassion simply because they want to try it for the sake of fun, or it due to the fact that it is a rare animal.
In that case, let me throw the question back to you, if eating axolotls is a norm to you, is there a possibility that if there is any given chance at all, will you eat your pet dogs or cats too or cook them like how axolotls are being cooked?
Why am I having a problem understanding is how any human being can come to terms to enjoy a fried axolotl, what is going on in their mind through the whole dining process?
Did you know that some parts of the country where it is legal, people regard these cute little creatures as pets, and spend time looking after them, treating them like how you would treat your pet dog/cat/birds with affection, care, and concern. I will encourage all readers and owners to be a part of this petition to put up efforts for the conservation of these endangered species.
I feel that these axolotls deserve a natural habitat to call their own. A reserve or an enclosure where they will not feel threatened by external factors.
Above all else, it is a known fact that axolotls are endangered and they will no longer have the luxury to get back their once untainted habitat.
If you are interested in owning an axolotl, make sure you have read up our extensive complete axolotl care guide to know how to give proper attention, fostering and care to your pet axolotls.
Let me know also under the comments section what do you think about your thoughts and opinions when it comes to eating axolotls fried, or should they even be kept as pets? Also, If I have missed out any information or topics, let me know which I should include.
