Axolotl Senses

An axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) with lidless eyes and external feathery gills. Axolotls are unique salamanders living in cool, murky waters​. In this dim environment, their vision is limited. Instead, axolotls depend on other senses, especially smell and touch to find food and navigate. Researchers have studied their sense organs to understand exactly how an axolotl experiences the world.

Sense of Smell: Chemical Detection Underwater

Axolotls have a keen sense of smell that works in water. Water flows through small nostrils into a nasal cavity lined with olfactory cells​. These cells bind chemical molecules dissolved in the water (like odors) and send signals to the brain. Unusually for an aquatic animal, axolotls also retain a vomeronasal organ(Jacobson’s organ) – a side pouch lined with sensory epithelium​. This extra smell organ is often used by amphibians to detect pheromones or other specific chemical cues. In the axolotl, it likely helps pick up subtle chemical signals in the water. Overall, axolotls use their vision and chemical cues to perceive their environment and discover prey, this means an axolotl can literally sniff out a worm or insect before it sees it. Their well developed olfactory system lets them locate food and even recognize other axolotls, even when visibility is poor.

Hunting Behavior: Snapping and Suction

Axolotls are primarily "sit-and-wait" predators. They often lie on the floor, remaining motionless until a prey item swims by. Thanks to their lateral line system (sensory organs along the skin) and keen smell, axolotls detect the tiny water movements and odors of nearby animals​. When a suitable prey (like a small fish, worm, or insect) comes within range, the axolotl strikes. It opens its wide mouth suddenly, creating suction that draws prey into their mouths in one swift gulp​. In other words, axolotls essentially snap at prey and suck it in. This suction-feeding method is very effective for their ambush style. In this way, axolotls are efficient hunters despite poor eyesight. Their hunting success relies on sensing smell and motion and their eyes only confirm that something is there​.

Unique Sensory Adaptations Compared to Other Amphibians

Axolotls differ from most adult amphibians because they remain fully aquatic (a trait called neoteny). Because they never metamorphose into land-dwellers, they keep features of larvae including their external gills and the lateral line that other salamanders lose as adults. Their eyes are lidless and underdeveloped for detailed vision​, whereas terrestrial salamanders and frogs often have well-developed eyes and eyelids. Also, axolotls retain their vomeronasal organ​, whereas many aquatic animals do not use this sense. These adaptations suit a murky-water lifestyle: the lateral line lets them sense vibrations, and both smell organs detect chemical cues in water. In contrast, a frog or newt on land relies more on sharp vision and hearing. Axolotls rely on their keen sense of smell and lateral lines to detect prey, since their eyes only see light and motion​. This unique combination of senses makes axolotls excellent at hunting in darkness, a world seen mostly with nose and skin rather than eyes.

Conclusion

An axolotl’s world is sensed much more by chemicals and motion than by clear visuals. They can see light levels and moving objects​, but not detailed images or vibrant colors. They can smell tiny concentrations of chemicals in water and even detect pheromones with their vomeronasal organ​​. In practice, an axolotl will sniff out or feel the approach of prey in the water and then suck it in with a rapid tongue and mouth motion​. These sensory strengths: a sensitive nose, a vibration detector, and just-enough eyesight  let axolotls thrive as stealthy predators in their murky lake habitat.