do axolotls always completely live without water during their entire lifetime

No, axolotls do not live completely without water during their entire lifetime. Axolotls are salamanders that are amphibious, which means they require water for much of their life cycle. Here are some key points about their habitat preferences:

1. Aquatic Environment: Axolotls primarily reside in water, where they can develop and maintain their gills for respiration.
2. Adult Life: Even as adults, axolotls need to stay in the water to breathe and keep their skin moist. Their gills require a constant source of water to function properly.
3. Molting: Axolotls need water to facilitate the process of shedding their skin (molting), which is a regular part of their growth and maintenance.
4. Habitat: In the wild, they are native to specific areas in Mexico and typically inhabit cold, fresh water with little to no current.

While they may be able to move around on land for brief periods, especially if they are juveniles or have adapted to certain conditions, axolotls are not designed to live outside of water for extended periods. Their biology and life processes are deeply interconnected with their aquatic environment. To keep an axolotl healthy, it is essential to provide them with a suitable water habitat.