Axolotls are unique aquatic salamanders native to the ancient lake system of Xochimilco in Mexico, spending their entire lives underwater. Their unusual charm often leads people to wonder about many aspects of their existence, including whether these silent-looking creatures make any sounds.
The Truth About Axolotl Sounds
Axolotls are largely silent creatures and do not possess vocal cords. Despite the lack of traditional vocal organs, they can produce subtle noises. These sounds are typically quiet and are often described as high-pitched squeaking, hiccuping, or clicking. Owners sometimes report hearing these sounds when axolotls are eating, breathing, or being handled.
These incidental noises are not intentional vocalizations or a form of communication. Videos sometimes show axolotls appearing to “bark,” but this is a misinterpretation; such sounds are byproducts of other physiological processes. The sounds they make are generally not loud and can be difficult to hear unless one is paying close attention.
Why Axolotls Are Mostly Silent
The primary reason for an axolotl’s quiet nature is its anatomy and environment. Axolotls do not have a larynx or vocal cords, which are the structures responsible for sound production through vibration in many vertebrates. Their aquatic habitat means sound does not travel as efficiently as in air. This makes vocal communication less effective for their survival.
Axolotls have adapted to rely on other senses for perceiving their environment and interacting. They primarily use visual cues and chemical signals for communication, especially during mating rituals. Their lateral line system, a sensory organ, allows them to detect vibrations in the water, which helps them sense movement and navigate. Their respiratory system, involving gills, skin, and rudimentary lungs, is not designed for complex sound production.
Sounds You Might Hear (That Aren’t Them)
While axolotls themselves are mostly silent, various sounds might be heard around their tanks that are not vocalizations from the animal. Tank equipment, such as filters and air pumps, can generate mechanical noises. Water splashing from the filter outflow or from the axolotl’s movements can also be audible.
Occasional sounds attributed to axolotls are often incidental to their activities. When an axolotl surfaces to gulp air, a common behavior to supplement oxygen intake, it can create a squeaking or gurgling noise as air rapidly enters or exits their respiratory system. During feeding, a slight clicking or gulping sound might occur as they consume food. Axolotls are sensitive to vibrations, so loud external noises, particularly low frequencies, can startle or stress them.