Thousands of axolotls abandoned after Minecraft, Fortnite boom

By Ed Chatterton

Thousands of axolotls are being bought as pets before being dumped after their popularity exploded due to games like Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite, it has been warned.

Rescue centers say they are seeing a worrying surge in salamanders being sold by unscrupulous breeders on social media sites such as Facebook before the creatures end up being neglected.

They can be sold for as little as $38 and the boom in their popularity is being blamed on the exotic amphibians being featured in several computer games.

A similar craze saw a huge rise in terrapins being bought as pets after the release of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films.

Tara Costellow, who runs the Axolotl and Reptile Rescue Centre, reckons she has taken in around 2,000 axolotls since setting up business eight years ago.

She currently has around 160 of them at her two sites in Evesham, Worcestershire, after being bombarded with pleas from owners desperate to offload the animals they cannot cope with.

The RSPCA has also issued a warning after last year saw the second-largest number of incidents involving axolotls and a 9% rise in the number of exotic animals being abandoned.

Costellow, who runs the charity with her husband Gareth, said: "We first started seeing a surge due to the popularity of Minecraft.

"But more recently we're hearing Fortnite and Roblox could also be behind it and we're constantly getting them now.

"Over the space of the eight years we've been running, we must have had a couple of thousand brought into us.

"Kids have been wanting them as pets but axolotls don't actually do that much so they end up getting bored.

"The responsibility then goes to the parents and a lot of them don't know how to care for these specialist animals.

"People don't realize how quickly they breed and their numbers — a female axolotl can lay 1,500 eggs at a time.

"You can put them together and 48 hours later they are pregnant. So people just see it as a money maker.

"Back-street breeders are just looking to cash in and even post them in the mail, which you aren't supposed to do.

"They just sell them on Facebook and they go for around $38 to as much as $188.

"They can live for around 15 years too, so longer than some dogs, and they can grow 12 inches."

Costellow says without proper regulation she fears the problem will just get worse for the species, which is classed as critically endangered in the wild.

Just two weeks ago 10-year-old Evie Hill, from Leicester, found a Mexican axolotl under a bridge near Bridgend, South Wales.

They are usually only found in Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City.

Costellow added: "That would have been a dumped pet and it is amazing it survived as they wouldn't last long in our waters.

"They aren't covered by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act like some snakes and lizards, so there's nobody really regulating their trade.

"They are incredible animals and can repair and rejuvenate anything from their spines to their brains, so they are being sold with missing legs and buyers are just told 'don't worry they will grow back.'

"But they require special care — the setup for the tank takes around three months for the nitrogen cycle to occur and liquid water testing is required to ensure ammonia and nitrite levels are right.

"I would urge people to research their care but also to buy from reputable breeders as there are many breeders out there who are just trying to make a quick buck.

"The majority of people who come to us are pet owners who didn't appreciate what they were getting into as well as breeders who just have too many babies at one time.

"We've got around 160 at the moment but have had as many as 350 dropped off in one go.

"We have two sites, our main shop and an education center, so we have the room but most people don't.

"There are only a handful of places across the UK who specialize in axolotls like we do.

"I'm part of a Facebook group and all of them are reporting the same. The issue is getting out of control."

RSPCA exotic pets expert Evie Button said: “We urge anyone considering an axolotl — or any exotic pet — to really think carefully before taking one on, and to thoroughly research the animals’ needs.

“Looking after exotic pets can be rewarding — but can also be very challenging, costly and complex.

"They have the same environmental, diet and behavioral requirements as their relatives in the wild.

"Exotic pets often end up in our care, or others in the animal welfare sector, later down the line when people realize they're not easy to care for, or once the novelty wears off.

“Exotic pets should never be an impulse buy — these amphibians need care and attention for their entire lives, which can be 15 years.

"Potential owners need to make sure they can give their animal the environment it needs and that they have the facilities, time, financial means and long-term commitment to maintain a good standard of care.

“Those who are willing and able to take on an exotic pet should always consider rehoming from a specialist rescue center.

"We encourage anyone considering taking on an exotic pet to read books written by experts on the particular species they wish to keep, to join member societies where there are experienced keepers who can help if they are struggling.

"Specialist vets are also an excellent source of support and advice for owners.”