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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Foreword 1
  • Acknowledgements 4
  • Table of Contents 6
  • Chapter 1 – What is an Axolotl? 12
  • Axolotls are Neotenous 13
  • Physical Characteristics of the Axolotl 14
  • Feathered Gills and Breathing 15
  • Other Forms of Respiration 16
  • Distinguishing Gender 17
  • Determining Sexual Maturity 17
  • Color Variations and Types 18
  • “Wild” or Brown Shades 19
  • Albino and Golden Albino 20
  • Melanoid 20
  • Leucistic 21
  • Copper 21
  • Axolotl Biology 21
  • Regenerative Abilities 23
  • Chapter 2 – Keeping Pet Axolotls 26
  • What to Know Before You Buy 27
  • Long Lifespan 27
  • Completely Aquatic 28
  • Subject to Stresses 28
  • Questionable as a Child’s Pet 28
  • Axolotls and Other Pets 29
  • Sensitive to Blockages 29
  • Required Maintenance 30
  • Raising Your Own Food 31
  • Few Veterinarian Options 32
  • Designing a Habitat 33
  • Aquarium with Lid 33
  • Thermometer 34
  • Filter and Water Flow 34
  • Using Plants and a Hide Area 35
  • Bottom Substrate 36
  • Cycling the Tank 37
  • The Rudiments of Water Chemistry 37
  • Understanding the Nitrogen Cycle 40
  • Maintenance Considerations 42
  • Feeding Requirements 42
  • Earthworms 43
  • Aquatic Blackworms 44
  • Bloodworms 45
  • Daphnia 45
  • Pellet Fish Foods 47
  • Other Food Choices 47
  • Foods to Avoid 48
  • Hand Feeding Your Axolotl 49
  • Tank Mates 51
  • Pros and Cons of Owning an Axolotl 52
  • Estimated Cost of Owning an Axolotl 55
  • Summary: Feeding Guide 57
  • Good Food Sources 57
  • Questionable Food Sources 57
  • Foods You Can Raise at Home 57
  • Chapter 3 – Axolotl Health and Breeding 59
  • Water Quality is Crucial 59
  • Chlorine Poisoning 60
  • Maintaining Water Quality 60
  • Consequences of Stress 61
  • Potential Treatments 62
  • Signs of Disease 65
  • Additional Health Conditions 67
  • Metabolic Bone Disease 68
  • Toxins or Poisons in the Water 70
  • An Axolotl Vet? 72
  • Axolotl Breeding 73
  • Encouraging Reproduction 74
  • Hatching Axolotl Eggs 75
  • Summary: Axolotl Health 79
  • Signs of Illness 79
  • Conditions Related to Water Quality 79
  • Other Common Health Conditions 79
  • Chapter 4 – Axolotls and Medical Research 81
  • The Potential for Cell Regeneration 82
  • Is Human Cell Regeneration Possible? 82
  • How Do Axolotls Regenerate Tissue? 84
  • International Axolotl Research 85
  • Surveying Axolotls in the Wild 86
  • Fostering Retired Axolotls 89
  • Afterword 91
  • Appendix 1 – Overview of Tiger Salamanders 93
  • Physical Characteristics 94
  • Required Habitat for Larval Stage 96
  • Required Habitat for Adults 96
  • Diet and Feeding 98
  • Sensitivity to Handling 99
  • Notes on Health 99
  • Breeding Tiger Salamanders 100
  • Housing Multiple Species 101
  • Relevant Websites 103
  • Frequently Asked Questions 105
  • Glossary 112
  • Selected Additional Reading 118
  • Index 127

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