When they contract, they produce less pigment, and the axolotl’s skin will lighten. When the chromatophores expand, they produce more pigment, and the axolotl’s skin will darken.
This is controlled by the nervous system and is triggered by hormones. When an axolotl wants to change color, the chromatophores in its skin will expand or contract. Melanophores are black chromatophores that give axolotls their brown or black coloration. Xanthophores are yellow chromatophores that give axolotls their gold or orange coloration. There are three main types of chromatophores found in axolotls: erythrophores, xanthophores, and melanophores.Įrythrophores are red chromatophores that give axolotls their pink or red coloration. They have cells called chromatophores in their skin which are responsible for producing pigment and changing the color of the axolotl’s skin. How Do Axolotls Change Color?Īxolotls are unique creatures possessing unique features. This is because they lack melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
However, unlike leucistic axolotls, they have no spots and are completely white. The AlbinoĪlbino axolotls are also born with a reduced number of chromatophores. As a result, they are not able to produce as much pigment, giving them a pale appearance. This is due to a genetic mutation that reduces the number of chromatophores in their skin. They are born this way and do not change color. Leucistic axolotls are mostly white with black spots. In captivity, they are also known to change color but not as frequently as the other two types. As its name suggests, this is the type of axolotl you would find in the wild. The wild type is the most common axolotl and has dark brown skin with black spots. Types of AxolotlsĪlthough many types of Axolotls are known to man, the three most common ones to exist today include the following: The Wild Type These cells contain pigment and expand or contract to change the color of the axolotl’s skin. This chameleon-like ability is due to cells called chromatophores that are found in their skin. Although they are most commonly brown or black, they can also be white, albino, green, or even pink. Secondly, axolotls are capable of changing their color. The same goes for its spinal cord, heart, and other organs. If an axolotl loses a limb, it can grow back. They have long bodies with four legs, each ending in a webbed foot.Īxolotls also possess external gills that protrude from the sides of their head, giving them a prehistoric look.īut the most defining feature of the axolotl is its ability to regenerate lost body parts. Firstly, their appearance is quite striking and unlike any other amphibian out there. There are several reasons why axolotls have captured our attention for so long. They are native to only one place in the world, Lake Xochimilco, in central Mexico.ĭue to urbanization and water pollution, their numbers have been declining drastically over the past few years, and they are now considered an endangered species The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a permanently aquatic salamander. To help you get a better insight, we will go over the many kinds of axolotls, the colors they morph into, and how this rare phenomenon occurs. This is intended to make them look less appetizing to predators.Īccording to, there are over 20 types of axolotls, each with their own unique color and appearance – often kept as pets. When they feel threatened, their chromatophores will expand, and their skin will turn black. Conversely, an axolotl in a brightly lit tank may darken its skin to blend in with the shadows.Īxolotls also change color when they are stressed or scared. However, it is thought to be a way for them to camouflage themselves in their environment.įor example, an axolotl in a dark tank may lighten its skin to match the lighter-colored rocks and gravel at the bottom of the tank. The reason why axolotls change color is still unknown. Wild-type and albino axolotls are most likely to change color, while leucistic axolotls cannot change color at all. Keep in mind that this phenomenon is quite rare and doesn’t happen often. This ability is one of the many things that make these creatures so special. Yes, Axolotls can change color depending on their mood and lighting conditions, but it is not a common occurrence. What Factors Affect An Axolotl’s Coloration?.How Can You Tell What Color An Axolotl Will Be?.What Are The Different Colors Axolotls Morph Into?.A question most who encounter them ask is whether or not axolotls change color. Exquisite and rare, axolotls are creatures that have always intrigued mankind.
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