Water Dog Vs Axolotl : (7 Interesting Differences)

Owners who have adopted an axolotl or water dog know how pleasing it can be to pet these salamanders. Because it is not possible to keep both salamanders in one terrarium, many can’t choose between an axolotl and water dogs, some don’t even know if they are two different species. Because of this confusion, many owners ask about water dogs vs axolotls.

What is the difference between Water dog vs Axolotl? Though both are salamanders, they are different species. Both the species have different needs, have different bodies and both come from different continents. While water dogs metamorphose and become terrestrial salamanders, axolotls remain in water throughout their lives.

Water dog vs axolotl
Water Dog Vs Axolotl

 

Water Dog Vs Axolotl: What Is The Difference?

Axolotls and water dogs are both considered to be amphibians. However, axolotls are larvae of fire salamanders, while water dogs are larvae of tiger salamanders.

Another difference is being able to regenerate their limbs, spinal cord, heart and other organs. Waterdogs can’t do that. Many owners get confused and ask, Is an axolotl a water dog? No, they are different.

What is a waterdog salamander and Axolotl salamander? Axolotls and water dogs are both amphibians that share many similarities such as living in water and having four legs. The main difference between the two is the ability to regenerate their limbs, spinal cord, heart and other organs. Axolotls can do this while waterdogs cannot.

An axolotl is a type of salamander that is found in the lakes of Mexico. It has a distinctive gill-like head and can reproduce in water. A waterdog, on the other hand, is a type of amphibian that is found in Europe and North America.

It has a long tail and can often be seen swimming in streams and rivers. Choosing either Axolotl or water dog depends on every person individually and their requirements.

 

Are Mudpuppies Axolotls?

Are axolotls water dogs? No, axolotls are a type of salamander that is native to a few lakes in central Mexico. They are known for their ability to regenerate lost limbs and organs.

Waterdogs, also called sea dogs or mudpuppies, are a type of salamander that lives in the Eastern United States and Canada. Unlike axolotls, waterdogs cannot regenerate lost limbs or organs.

The axolotl is an amphibian while the water dog salamander is a type of salamander. Both axolotl and water dogs are types of salamanders. The two animals are somewhat different in appearance and habitat. The main difference between them is that axolotls can regenerate lost limbs and organs while waterdogs cannot.

Another difference is water dogs metamorphose and become terrestrial salamanders, but are axolotls allowed out of water? No, axolotls remain in water throughout their lives.

 

Difference Between An Axolotl And Waterdog

What’s the difference between axolotl and water dogs? Axolotls and water dogs are very different from each other. Both are different species that have a different nativity in different continents. Both axolotl and water dogs also have different physical features. To differentiate water dog fish vs axolotl would be a long list.

The axolotl is an amphibian that lives in the water. It has feathery external gills and four toes on its front feet. On the other hand, the waterdog has webbed feet, which it uses to swim in the water. Axolotls are also known as Mexican walking fish because they can walk on land for short periods before returning to their aquatic life.

Some of the factors that tell the difference between water dog fish vs axolotl are as follow

DifferenceAxolotlsWaterdogs
NativityAxolotls are native to South America specifically Lake Xochimilco (Mexico City)Water dogs are considered to be native to Northern America
SpeciesAxolotls are from the Ambystoma mexicanum family of salamandersWater dogs are from the Ambystoma mavortium family.
water dog vs axolotl growthAxolotls don’t metamorphose in their life and stay underwater throughout their life. Waterdogs don’t stay underwater throughout their life unlike axolotls they metamorphose in a year or little more than that. 
AppearanceAxolotls will only grow up to 9″ in length on average. Axolotls are lighter in shade than waterdogs. Water dogs are bigger than axolotls. They grow from 8-20″ long. Furthermore, waterdogs are dark than axolotls
water dog vs axolotl healthAxolotls live up to 15 years on averageWaterdogs live more than axolotls for up to 25 years. 
water dog vs axolotl priceAn owner can buy an axolotl in between $35-$70An owner can buy a water dog for $30-$60
water dog vs axolotl for sale, which one is more popularAxolotl for sale is more in demand than water dogs, though the craze of water dogs is also increasing.
Water dog vs axolotl
Water Dog Vs Axolotl

 

Water Dog Vs Axolotl Care

Taking care of axolotl is very different from taking care of waterdogs. A major difference comes in caring when waterdogs metamorphose while axolotls don’t. To understand how both pets have different needs and require different care, the below points tell what it is to pet these animals

 

Petting A Water Dog

When an owner will pet a water dog, they will have to transition from keeping their pet in a water tank to a terrarium as they metamorphose into terrestrial salamanders. Water dog fish bait requires a lot of space. A water dog will require a water tank of 15-20 gallons to have ample space to move around.

Another factor that the owner needs to keep in mind is temperature, which should be between 60-75° F. As metamorphosis starts in waterdogs, they would need a platform to come out in dry. Once metamorphosis is completed, they will need a terrarium with less water.

Some of the best feed for water dogs include tadpoles, insects, shrimps, pellets and a variety of worms. Additionally, an owner should never hold their pet water unless they need to clean water or take them to the vet.

 

Petting An Axolotl 

Petting an axolotl is similar to petting water dog salamander bait in many aspects. However, axolotls will live their lives only in water. Axolotls eat food similar to water dogs with minor different needs. Worms, insect larvae, molluscs, small fishes, crustaceans are some of the best foods for axolotls. Axolotls also need a 20-gallon water tank. Axolotls need the water temperature to be 60-65° F.

Just like water dogs, axolotls should also not be handled by their owners.

 

Can You Keep A Water Dog And Axolotl Together?

Waterdogs and axolotls can live in a common tank but it is not recommended at all to put axolotls and water dogs in the same tank due to many reasons. Both pets thrive better when kept separated from each other. Waterdogs and axolotls can show aggression to each other for dominance, food etc. Another major reason to keep water dogs separated from axolotls is due to the metamorphosis process in water dogs.

As water dogs metamorphose, they would need less and less water which won’t be good for axolotls. Even though an owner may be able to keep them at an early age, as they grow, complications will increase which may increase their chance of dying due to one another.

So it is best to never keep water dogs and axolotls together.

 

Final Verdict – Water Dog Vs Axolotl

To differentiate between water dog salamander vs axolotl, there is a big list. Many people believe that both the salamanders are the same species but that is not the truth. Axolotls and water dogs are very different.

Water dog vs axolotl
Water Dog Vs Axolotl

Waterdogs and axolotls come from different continents, have different needs and have very different physical features. A major difference between axolotl and water dogs is that water dogs metamorphose while axolotls don’t.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet axolotl a good and comfortable life!

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