About Our Genetics

Axolotls are endangered in the wild. In captivity, genetic diversity is severely limited due to all of our pet axolotls coming from a small number of groups imported to the United States/Europe/etc. from Mexico. You cannot take wild axolotls from Lake Xochimilco for breeding in the pet trade. Most, if not all, of our pet axolotls have been hybridized with other salamander species, and even some other neotenic species similar to axolotls. Because of this genetic limitation to the population of captive bred axolotls, it is critical that breeders work to avoid inbreeding and the continuation of unhealthy genetics. Xochi Exotics has made a commitment to breeding happy, healthy axolotls from the most diverse sources we are able to find. We do not breed any closely related axolotls, and are working every day to expand our breeding lines with individuals from other reputable breeders. All the breeding adults, and the animals we are raising for future breeding get Aztec names, to respect their origins, and provide another opportunity for education. Meet our wonderful axolotls in permanent residence at Xochi Exotics!

Xolotl

Xolotl is the Aztec god of the underworld, lightning and twins. Xolotl is also the god Aztecs named axolotls after! The god Xolotl has the face of a dog, like our sweet little water puppies! Our Xolotl is the most rare animal in the shop, and one of the most rare axolotls in the world. Xolotl is a split mosaic. This is extraordinarily rare and requires a genetic mistake in the very first cell division in the egg so that one half gets one coloration and the other half gets a different one. This only happens about one in 40,000 eggs! Xolotl is from Xochi and Quetzalcoatl and will continue to be spoiled and loved at Xochi Exotics.

Xochi

Xochi is my very first breeding female axolotl. She is a slightly dirty leucistic bred in New Mexico. She has always had 5 gills, and she is named for the lake in Mexico where you can find axolotls. In Nahuatl (the Aztec language) Xochi means flower. Xochi is homozygous for leucism, and het melanoid! She was born in May of 2020.

Quetzalcoatl

Quetzalcoatl is the feathered serpent god of creation. Our Quetzal is our first male breeder at Xochi Exotics. He is also from New Mexico. Quetzal is a Wild Type GFP and is the biggest axolotl we have! He is het for melanoid and likes to stand on his back legs and wave his front legs around when he's hungry. He was born in the spring 2020.

Tepeyollotl

Tepeyollotl (heart of the mountains) is the Aztec god of caves, earthquakes, and jaguars. Our little Tepe is a hold back from our first batch of eggs we hatched in the shop. Xochi is his mother, and Quetzalcoatl is his father. He is a melanoid, het leucistic. His birthday is July 29th, 2021 and will be ready for breeding in the fall/winter 2022.

Chantico

Chantico ("she who dwells in the house") is a protective goddess of the hearth fire and the home, as well as volcanoes! Our Chantico is a beautiful melanoid albino from Northern Axolotls. She is homozygous mel and albino, het for dark/white, copper and axanthic. Her father is a Northern Axolotl, and her mother is from Mottle Lotl. Her birthday is June 12, 2021 and will be ready for breeding Winter 2022.

Tlaloc

Tlaloc is an Aztec rain god who lives in the fourth level of heaven in a garden of water and plants. Our Tlaloc is an axanthic copper, bred by Lloyd Strohl. Presumed female until very recently, but now we know he is a male. He is het melanoid and has a 50% probability of het albino and het white. His birthday is May 2021, and will be ready for breeding fall/winter 2022.