Question: Looking to get a axolotl

[Kalicosray]

Hi, I am new here. I am extremely interested in axolotls and would like to get one. The problem is that i live in Maine. Anyone know if there are permits to allow them here or any way around this? I have a lot of experience with all types of aquarium setups and water types, it is more than just a hobby for me. If anyone can point me in the right direction i would greatly appreciate it!

 

[Dr. Phil]

A quick Google search suggests that axolotls are illegal to keep in Maine; it doesn't seem as if you can get a permit. You can try contacting the Maine department of fish and Wildlife: Fish and Wildlife in Captivity: Fish & Wildlife: Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife If you are an educator - you may be able to keep some at a school for 'education purposes'.

If you find that you can get a permit, then check out this link on the forum: For Sale USA Also, Wards Scientific sells them: Ward's® Live Mexican Axolotl (<i>Ambystoma mexicanum</i>)

Good luck and Happy New Year!

 

[Ryang]

I’m in the UK so we don’t have these laws preventing us from keeping them anywhere. Out of curiosity, what is the reason that certain states don’t allow them?

 

[Dr. Phil]

It's really because irresponsible people release non-native animals into the wild.

In many cases, the animals simply perish. In other cases (far too many) the animals are well-adapted enough to a new environment, that they sometimes breed prolifically. In the absence of their normal predators, they can cause serious problems and wreak havoc on native ecosystems.

The list is a very long one: striped zebra mussels, pretty much everywhere, Asian carp in the Great Lakes, red-eared sliders pretty much everywhere, cane toads in Australia, Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades, brown snakes in the tropics, Nutria in Europe,...I could go on - just ask Hawaii! Islands are particularly vulnerable. And we are not even mentioning plants like Kudzu and 100's of others.

Then, there is a certain virus making its way around the globe...

I'll bet the UK certainly has restrictions on many species...or they should!

I wish you a Happy New Year!

 

[Kalicosray]

Hi, I am new here. I am extremely interested in axolotls and would like to get one. The problem is that i live in Maine. Anyone know if there are permits to allow them here or any way around this? I have a lot of experience with all types of aquarium setups and water types, it is more than just a hobby for me. If anyone can point me in the right direction i would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you for the info!