User:Teddyp1234/Axolotl

Behavioural Tendencies
Social Tendencies

In nature, an axolotl leads an exceedingly repetitive lifestyle, sticking to the same daily routines. These daily routines, which usually consists of feeding, are done in solitude as the axolotl tends to be very aggressive towards other aquatic species. Upon observation, axolotls were noted to be very inactive with slow movements and have the tendency to hide amongst its surroundings in deeper waters. However when in close contact with another member of their species, the axolotl becomes very aggressive. As an act of defence, axolotls will attack each other violently and in some cases tear off the limbs of their opponent - labelling them as naturally cannibalistic. This helps to explain the widely known and researched regenerative tendency of axolotls, as they can easily regenerate a lost limb or any other bite injuries caused in a hostile interaction, usually occurring during reproduction or feeding, with another axolotl. The reasoning behind this specific behavioural tendency is still under debate, but some researchers believe that injuries sustained by their aggressive conspecifics play a huge role in their regeneration abilities.

Reproductive Tendencies
Males have shown to be slightly more aggressive than female axolotls especially during reproduction. Although, it is during reproduction where axolotls will display a unique reproductive behaviour called the "waltz". During this event, the two participating axolotls will move around a circle in a dancing-like motion. The male axolotl will then move away from his partner in a swift motion, resembling a hula dance, in which the female will copy. A spermatophore is then released by the male and picked up by the cloaca of the female. During courtship is the only time throughout the year in which intraspecific communication, including visual and chemical/pheromonal cues, will occur in order to minimize the naturally aggressive interactions between axolotl's.

Feeding Tendencies
An axolotl's feeding behaviour relies heavily on the temperature of its environment, as this aquatic species is very sensitive to temperature. Axolotls are suction feeders, meaning they collect food by creating a negative pressure gradient within their aquatic environment. This as a result, causes their prey and surrounding water to get sucked into their mouths. This mechanism of feeding requires rapid opening and closing movements of the muscles surrounding their mouth and jaw, classified as an elastic recoil. Chewing of the food also requires movement of the jaw muscle, in order to break down the prey into a swallowable size for the axolotl. Temperature also affects this elastic recoil, as the elasticity of the muscles required for feeding will be affected and unable to perform optimally in a temperature in which the axolotl is not used to.