How is it that axolotls are listed as “critically endangered” species, but they are allowed to be pets that don’t even sell for more that much?

Question

Apparently there are breeders making Axolotls and they only go for a few hundred bucks at most. How is this possible? And how are so many people able to own them as pets if they are very close to extinction?

In: 6261

Answer 1

The ones in the wild are going extinct due to a loss of habitat.

While there are loads being breed for pets. These are unsuitable for being released into the wild because they don’t have the survival skills needed for the wild. Even if you did release them, there’s still the habitat loss to deal with.

If you are interested in more, there is a [podcast and article about this subject from 99% Invisible.](https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/model-organism/)