Axolotl owners warn demand surge driven by Minecraft could lead to abandonment crisis

When Emma Honeyfield's daughter Amber asked for an axolotl for her birthday, Emma never imagined it would lead to a collection of 20. The 37-year-old bought her daughter's first axolotl, Stitch, in September and has since fallen in love with their "calming" nature.

Emma said Amber, eight, had always been difficult to buy for, so when she asked for one for her birthday, she couldn't say no. And the family, from Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, are far from alone in seeking out the amphibians, which are critically endangered and only found in lakes and wetlands in southern Mexico City.

The animal's cute, smiling face and appearance in the hugely popular Minecraft and Roblox games has seen an increase in the number of people keeping them as pets. With as few as 50 to 1,000 left globally in the wild, experts want people to know how to care for these creatures properly before rushing out to buy one as they can live for up to 20 years.

Tara Costellow, who runs the Axolotl and Reptile Rescue Centre in Evesham, Worcestershire, said they were "majestic animals" but could be "overwhelming". Despite their scarcity in the wild, a 10-year-old girl found a nine-inch Mexican axolotl under a bridge near the River Ogmore in Bridgend, the only documented sighting of an axolotl in the wild in the UK.

This has prompted experts to warn people against rushing out and buying an animal that has specific needs without a good understanding of how to care for them. Although not a big fan of Minecraft herself, Emma believes the game may have influenced Amber's desire to own one and she bought Stitch from an aquatic shop for £55. Her subsequent axolotls were purchased from a specialist breeder, making them more expensive, and she also cares for four rescued axolotls that were not been properly looked after by previous owners.

The mum-of-three has named all 20 and can recognise each one by their shape and size: "They're spunky little creatures." Emma said she had done her research before getting the animals and now has four tanks - but caring for axolotls has actually been much more complicated than she anticipated.

"I went into it thinking it would be quite easy - and it's really not," she said. "Make sure you set everything up properly and do your research first."

The tanks need what is called a "fishless cycle" where good bacteria is built up in aquariums before the axolotls are introduced, which involves "dosing with ammonia, proper water testing, and you have to make sure everything is spot on".

Fellow axolotl owner, Kerry Allen, 40, from Dorset, has had Kev for several years. "I kept seeing them on social media and just loved them," she said, describing them as "an absolutely wonderful pet". "They're just great - fascinating to watch. They come across quite silly - they always look like they're smiling."

A lifelong animal lover, Kerry also has dogs, cats and a Siamese fighting fish called Gomez - but warned axolotls require careful upkeep. "Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation given to new owners about looking after them," she said. "Lots become quite poorly because pet shops aren't always up to scratch on their care."

Kerry said she did extensive research before getting Kev, including joining online groups and the pet shop she bought him from ensured her tank was properly tested. Now living in a clean, cold-water tank and fed on earthworms, Kev has grown from two inches to 12. "Touch wood I've never had a problem with him - he's in great condition," she said. "But there's so many been sold with wrong information and they die."

Chris Newman, director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, said people often underestimated the level of commitment required to own an axolotl, including not realising they can live for up to 20 years. He said there were many reasons why the animals got re-homed, including children losing interest, leaving home for college or university, and the cost of living crisis.

Tara's axolotl rescue centre has about 160 of the amphibians, as well as ferrets, snakes and lizards. She said demand surged after axolotls appeared in Minecraft, with breeders "going absolutely crazy" producing them in large numbers. "Everyone's kids wanted one - it was seen as such a big money-maker," she said.

But now, some owners are giving them up and the centre received 160 axolotl from one overwhelmed owner. Young axolotls must be kept separately for months due to cannibalistic behaviour and therefore not yet ready to be re-homed, she said.

Tara said a key part of her role was "vetting new homes", ensuring tanks are properly set up and water conditions are correct - something that can take up to 12 weeks - putting the animals at risk. "It's quite in-depth and can be overwhelming, but we try to make sure they go to the best possible homes," she said.

The RSPCA urged anyone considering an axolotl, or any exotic pet, to think carefully before taking one on, and to thoroughly research the animals' needs. "Exotic pets often end up in our care, or others in the animal welfare sector, later down the line when people realise they're not easy to care for, or once the novelty wears off," a statement said.

"Potential owners need to make sure they can give their animal the environment they need and they have the facilities, time, financial means and long-term commitment to maintain a good standard of care. These amphibians need care and attention for their entire lives, which can be 15 years," it added.