{"id":3084,"date":"2022-05-08T02:05:58","date_gmt":"2022-05-08T02:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mramphibian.com\/?p=3084"},"modified":"2022-05-08T02:05:59","modified_gmt":"2022-05-08T02:05:59","slug":"axolotl-vision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mramphibian.com\/axolotl-vision\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Axolotls Blind?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Axolotls (Ambystoma Mexicanum<\/em>) are among the most well-known amphibians on earth. Their external gills, striking colorations, and ever-present smile are enough to win the heart of anyone. For that reason, they’re popular pets!<\/p>\n\n\n\n First-time axolotl owners occasionally watch in horror as their beloved pet bumps into the glass, plants, and other decorations in the aquarium. Naturally, this prompts the question, “Are axolotls blind?” It’s a good question, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No, axolotls are not blind but they have poor vision. Also, they don’t have eyelids and they’re sensitive to light.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The rest of this page includes feeding\/safety tips and information about light sensitivity. Keep reading until the end to learn about eyeless mutant axolotls!<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, axolotls are not blind in most cases, they just have poor eyesight. Now what? If they can’t see very well, how do they find food?<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may surprise you to learn that axolotls have numerous sensory systems<\/strong>. They find food primarily via smell and vibrations in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite having poor vision, axolotls are capable of finding food by way of smell and sensing movement in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On top of having poor vision, axolotls are sensitive to light. They’re not capable of protecting their eyes with eyelids because they don’t have eyelids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, axolotls are nocturnal. Nocturnal species are most active at night, in dark environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experienced hobbyists will confirm that axolotls react poorly when changing their aquarium’s light. It’s akin to having someone shine a bright light in your eyes, only they’re unable to cover their eyes because, again, they don’t have eyelids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, research suggests that albino axolotls are more sensitive to light than normally pigmented ones.<\/strong> According to this study, melanin appears to decrease sensitivity to light in the iris[3]<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be mindful of using lights in your axolotl’s enclosure! Especially if your axolotl is albino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related: 10 Most Popular Pet Amphibians<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nHow Axolotls Find Food With Poor Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Axolotls Are Sensitive to Light<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Eyeless Mutant Axolotls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n