Regeneration of limbs in Axolotl

[ellenant]

On the 17th of July I got two axolotl from uni that were
bred for student courses and kept in a small chilli bin
together with around 20 siblings.
After the animals started cannibalism and seemed
to outgrow their container, the lecturer decided
to give the animals away to students interested
in exotic pets...
So I got my two axolotl, Max and Suzie, with virually no limbs.
In this threat I would like to document their progress
in re- growing their limbs.

Stars:

Suzie, leucistic axolotl

Max, wild coloured axolotl

Suzies left hand 19/7/08 21/7/08 27/7/08

30/7/08

Suzie fuss links 21/7/08 27/7/08

Suzie bein rechts 27/7/08 1/8/08

Suzie arm rechts 26/7/08

Max hand rechts 19/7/08 21/7/08 26/7/08

29/7/08

Max hand links 19/7/08

Max fuss rechts 26/7/08

 

[Terri9967]

Wow amazing to see. Please be sure to keep posting pics of updates.

 

[ellenant]

I sure will!
I find it very exciting myself, so I will take loads of pics...

 

[Kerry1968]

WOW! Great pictures! I love to see the amazing regeneration process. I was surprised how quickly one of my axies 'healed' a big chunk out of her tail, only a matter of weeks. Your Axies are so lucky to have a loving owner like you, Kerry.

 

[Jacquie]

I agree wholeheartedly with the others.

They look amazing Ellen, well done!

That document you have compiled/are still compiling will be very helpful to others who wonder 'how long can it take to regrow limbs'.

Cheers Jacq.

 

[ellenant]

Thanks all!

I find it very amazing that first there is this bubble
where the limbs are supposed to be...
and after a while you can see the bones sprouting in!
If you look closely, on the pictures of yesterday and today
you can even see the single bones of the fingers and toes...

The only problem is, the axies are not very cooperative
with stretching their limbs into the camera, so I need some
luck to get a good shot every now and then.
And I do not want to chase them around just to take
pictures...

I updated the picture series...
I realized that some of my descriptions were in German...


But here we go, a few new shots from today and
in English this time.

Suzies left hand 19/7/08 21/7/08 27/7/08

30/7/08 2/8/08

Suzie foot left 21/7/08 27/7/08 2/8/08

Suzie leg right 27/7/08 1/8/08

Suzie arm rechts 26/7/08

Max hand right 19/7/08 21/7/08 26/7/08

29/7/08

Max hand left 19/7/08

Max foot right 26/7/08 30/8/08

 

[ellenant]

Ho do I actually edit a post on here?

Suzies left hand 19/7/08 21/7/08 27/7/08

30/7/08 2/8/08

3/8/08

Suzie foot left 21/7/08 27/7/08 2/8/08

Suzie leg right 27/7/08 1/8/08

Suzie arm rechts 26/7/08

Max hand right 19/7/08 21/7/08 26/7/08

29/7/08

Max hand left 19/7/08

Max foot right 26/7/08 30/7/08 3/8/08

Max foot right 3/8/08 oh well, that one comes
out a bit crooked, doesnt it?

 

[ellenant]

Anyone knows if this could be a problem?

This is the lext leg of Max, as you can see it looks a bit screwed up...

 

[philbaker76]

Anyone knows if this could be a problem?

This is the lext leg of Max, as you can see it looks a bit screwed up...

Re re-grown limbs aren't usually perfect - I've found the older the Axolotl, the less perfect the limb development. Don't worry, won't effect your Axie - I have a rescued wild type with just a hook for a foot - and she's happy enough.

Nice pics. Cheers, Phil

 

[ellenant]

Phooey, thank you Phil!
It is just looking as if it grows skywards...

I took another pic just right now, its a strange angle it is growing in.

I hope you are right and he will be great again!

 

[ellenant]

A few more pictures....
(I am obsessed....)

Max hand left 19/7/08 26/7/08

Max hand left 4/8/08

Both of the hind legs 4/8/08...ohhh...
it really looks a bit turned around!
I hope it will be alright!

The axies are happy, they live in their tank with SAND now!
The were just slipping around without legs on the bare glass...
not much grip.
Now they can move around much easier.
I used bright red sand sold in the pet shop for reptiles.
I gave it a very thorough rinse to avoid having a muddy
water in my tank, and it worked.

Max climbing into his hiding hole

 

[ellenant]

Some new pictures of my axies regenerating!

Looks good, doesnt it?

Suzie foot left 21/7/08 27/7/08 2/8/08

left foot 9/8/08

Max hand right 19/7/08 21/7/08 26/7/08

9/8/08
29/7/08

9/8/08
Max hand left 19/7/08

Max foot right 26/7/08 30/7/08 3/8/08

9/8/08
Max foot right 3/8/08 oh well, that one comes
out a bit crooked, doesnt it?

 

[ellenant]

Another update----

Suzies left hand 19/7/08 21/7/08 27/7/08

30/7/08 2/8/08

Today, 25/8/08

Suzie foot left 21/7/08 27/7/08 2/8/08

Today, 25/8/08

I have also seen that Max, my other axie is regenerating an additional
toe on one of his feet. So he will have six instead of 5...

 

[ellenant]

Okay, here is an addon on Maxes regeneration.
He is my wild coloured axie.

Max hand right 19/7/08 21/7/08 26/7/08

9/8/08
29/7/08

Today, 25/8/08

9/8/08
Max hand left 19/7/08

But oh my! Can you imagine the shock when I saw this?

His left hand lucks okay from up top, but....

All from 25/8/08

ARGH!!!!!!
A closeup--

Can this be a problem????

Max foot right 26/7/08 30/7/08 3/8/08

9/8/08
Max foot right 3/8/08

Today, 25/8/08

 

[ellenant]

Maxes right foot today, 27/8/08

Maxes right hand 27/8/08

What also looks a bit crooked on a different view--
right hand:

And, another shot of the left hand 27/8/07:

Looks okay from the front--

But as you can see--
he is sprouting a SECOND hand underneath it!

 

[sherrisixxx]

Absolutely amazing pics to see. And the speed at which they are producing their new limbs is just amazing. Apparently axies can even regenerate brain cells, parts of heart etc.

 

[steffiegirl914]

I have to agree that you've got amazing pictures. I just recently bought an axie from a breeder. It had both his arms ans legs chewed off by his tank mates when i got him a couple of weeks ago. He's starting to re-grow them. It doesn't really seem to bother him though.=)

 

[kira]

That is really cool to see!! Thanks:wacko: