Questions from a possible future owner

[NaterPotater]

Hard to witness a kid peeing in the pool.

 

[AxolotlChris]

I contacted a herp vet to get a professional opinion:

'Axolotls secrete nitrogenous waste as a mix of urea and ammonia; different sources suggest differing ratios, although as an aquatic species ammonia would be expected to predominate.

As far as I know there are only a few amphibians which excrete any significant urate, such as the waxy frogs.'

So I don't think Axolotls 'pee' in the way some are thinking, but nitrogenous waste is passed presumably when defecating.

 

[NaterPotater]

Now you'll be able to sleep at night. haha

 

[AxolotlChris]

Laura was interested in a vets opinion, as was I. So I sought a professional opinion ^^ It's better to share the scientific explanation rather than guess.


'I presume the urea and ammonia is secreted when defecating?'

'Again, there seems to be conflicting info, and in some amphibians it can be varied somewhat depending on conditions. It could theoretically be excreted via gills, skin or urine. In the mudpuppy it's apparently mainly ammonia, and mostly (90%) excreted through the skin, but in (adult) axolotls one study found 10 - 35% urea loss "through front half of the body" so presumably most through urination. Most studies seem to just collect the urea from the water the axolotl is in, so source is not specified.

Sorry there's not a clearer answer, but I don't think there is one!'

Your welcome

 

[LSuzuki]

Cool! I did NOT expect them to excrete through the skin. I supposed I should have suspected it though - they absorb things through their skin, and so why shouldn't ammonia etc go from (presumably) higher concentration inside the axolotl to lower outside?