Sioux Falls Zoo & Aquarium (SFZA) is thrilled to welcome axolotls to the Butterfly House & Aquarium campus! Guests can visit these adorable new additions in Ambassador Alley, next to the Marsh Turtle habitat.
Axolotls are aquatic salamanders native to a few small lakes in Mexico City. In the wild, axolotls are critically endangered, with fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining. Their tiny habitat is threatened by pollution, invasive species, and disease.
Axolotls have experienced a meteoric rise in popularity as pets and in pop culture in recent years. However, they are best enjoyed in a professional animal care setting.
Axolotls found in pet stores are most likely part of a captive-bred population. Wild axolotls are typically dark in color, with mottled patterns of brown and green. In the pet trade, axolotls are found in a variety of colors, including leucitic (pink/white). Over-breeding has led to many axolotls with genetic defects and weakened immune systems. Axolotls are also a difficult pet for most families to care for, needing highly specialized care and habitat conditions.
The Butterfly House & Aquarium is open daily from 10 am – 4 pm. Monarch members can have access to both SFZA campuses year-round, plus perks like food discounts and event admission.