Since axolotls have no eyelids and are nocturnal or crepuscular, it is difficult to tell when they are sleeping.
Axolotls sleep for several hours throughout the day, but are more active in the twilight hours and at night.
You can recognize a sleeping axolotl by the fact that he has withdrawn and hardly moves. At the same time, his gills flap less than usual, but his eyes are open even when he sleeps.
Can axolotls sleep?
Yes, axolotls do sleep. However, their sleeping behavior looks significantly different from ours, so it can be difficult to recognize a sleeping axolotl at first glance.
An axolotl that is resting and one that is sleeping look the same from the outside. And since axolotls sleep with their eyes open, because they don’t have eyelids, we can’t tell from that whether they are sleeping or not.
Are axolotls day or night active?
Axolotls are especially active in the twilight hours, so this is also a good time to feed your Axolotl.
The nocturnal behavior is much more pronounced in wild axolotls than in our pet axolotls. In the wild, axolotls usually hunt for their prey at night and sleep during the day.
Do axolotls sleep at night?
Most axolotls won’t sleep at night, but will swim around the tank looking for food.
During the day they will rest and sleep in hiding places, in caves, or among plants.
How long do axolotls sleep?
This is a question that is very difficult to answer, as it is hard to distinguish between an axolotl that is sleeping and one that is just resting.
But it is safe to assume that axolotls need at least a few hours of sleep per day to stay healthy.
How can you tell if your axolotl is sleeping?
Although it is more difficult to tell if an axolotl is sleeping or not than with other animals, there are a few signs you can look for.
The likelihood that your axolotl is sleeping is very high if he….
- has retreated into a hiding place, a cave or a dark corner
- he moves very little and lies still
- his gills are flapping less and there is less blood flow to them than usual
- he is generally a bit paler
Because the axolotl uses less oxygen while sleeping, its gills beat slower and they don’t have as much blood flow as when he swims around in the tank. Also, its color may be a bit paler due to the little movement.
How can you tell the difference between a sleeping and sick axolotl?
At first sight you can easily confuse a sleeping axolotl with a sick axolotl, that is why it is important to look for sudden changes in behavior.
Otherwise there are other signs you can look for to recognize a sick axolotl. Among other things, if your Axolotl…
- shows skin changes
- doesn’t eat anything anymore
- floats in the aquarium
- hardly moves over a longer period of time
- is overly active and swims around a lot
it may be sick.
Skin lesions can be a sign of infection with fungus or parasites. If your axolotl refuses to eat, it may indicate digestive problems or a constipation. Also, if he is floating around the aquarium and is unable to swim to the bottom, it may be because he has air bubbles in his digestive tract.
If your Axolotl isn’t moving for an extended period of time or is significantly more active than usual, it may be due to an infection or because the water temperature is too high.
Axolotls need temperatures between 54 to 68 °F (12 and 20 °C), warmer water stresses them quickly and leads to a weaker immune system.
If you can’t identify any reasons for the change in behavior, you should take your axolotl to the vet.
Here is an article with even more signs that your axolotl is sick or stressed and the most common causes.
How much light and darkness do axolotls need?
For axolotls, the rule of thumb is that less light is better than too much. Too much light can quickly stress your axolotl and low light levels is quite sufficient.
You should also ensure that it is dark in your tank for at least 8 hours per day so that he has a day-night rhythm.
Conclusion
Axolotls sleep like all vertebrates, but it is more difficult to tell if they are sleeping or just resting, because they sleep with their eyes open.
Due to their nocturnal behavior, most axolotls sleep during the day and are more active at night, or dusk, than during the day.