Can Axolotls Recognize Your Voice? The Story That Made Me Believe They Can

Have you ever wondered if an axolotl can recognize a voice? Let me share a story with you. At Axolotls Tulsa, we often take care of axolotls while their families are away. We refer to it as Hotel Axolotl. One summer, we looked after an axolotl whose owner was on vacation for a couple of weeks. She informed us in advance that she would be picking him up, so we brought him into the showroom. There were several customers coming and going. He seemed shy in the showroom and wasn't interested in the people. He spent most of his time hiding at the back of the tank. I was speaking with a potential customer who was contemplating whether to get an axolotl, unsure if it would make a good pet.

When his owner walked in, I greeted her, and we exchanged a few words. Suddenly, I noticed her axolotl start swimming toward the front of the tank. It seemed as if he recognized her voice! He continued swimming, eager to get closer. The customer I was with, was very impressed with this display of awareness. She decided in that moment she definitely did want an axolotl as a pet. It was a heartwarming moment that reminded me just how special these creatures are. They may be small, but they have an amazing ability to connect with us—sometimes in unexpected ways!