Axolotls are fully aquatic animals and need water to survive. They cannot live without water for their entire lifetime. Here's why:
Respiration: Axolotls breathe through gills as larvae and switch to lungs as they grow older. However, they also rely on their permeable skin to absorb oxygen directly from water.
Habitat: They are native to freshwater habitats like lakes and canals in Mexico.
Moisture: Their skin needs to stay moist for respiration and to prevent dehydration.
Diet: Axolotls eat aquatic prey like worms and small fish.
Reproduction: They lay eggs in water, and their larval stage is completely aquatic.
Body Temperature: Water helps axolotls regulate their body temperature.
In summary, axolotls cannot survive without water throughout their life. They need it for respiration, hydration, feeding, reproduction, and temperature regulation. Keeping them in a clean, well-maintained aquarium is essential for their health and well-being.