Through their lateral line system, skin, eyes, and smell. Here is a quick explanation of the mentioned ways:
The Lateral Line System
Like fish, axolotls have a lateral line system running along the sides of their body. This system is made up of tiny sensory organs called neuromasts, which can detect vibrations and changes in water pressure. For an axolotl, this is like having a built-in motion detector.
The lateral line allows them to:
- Detect the wiggle of a worm or movement of small fish.
- Sense sudden disturbances in the water, warning them of predators.
- Navigate when visibility is low, such as in dark or muddy water.
Sensitive Skin
An axolotl’s skin also plays a role in sensing its environment. Packed with mechanoreceptors (nerve endings that respond to touch and pressure), the skin can pick up subtle changes in water flow. This gives axolotls another way to detect movement, whether it’s the current shifting or prey swimming nearby.
Eyes and Smell
Although axolotls don’t have the sharpest vision, they can still see enough to notice movement. Their eyes, paired with their strong sense of chemoreception (smelling and tasting in water), help them detect prey and changes in their environment. Together, these senses complement the lateral line system, making axolotls surprisingly aware of their surroundings.
References
- https://ambystoma.uky.edu/genetic-stock-center/newsletters/Older_archive/Issues-13-23/archive/issue19/05-14northcutt.pdf
- EPP, LEONARD G. “A Review of the Eyeless Mutant in the Mexican Axolotl.” American Zoologist, vol. 18, no. 2, 1978, pp. 267–72. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/18.2.267.[↩]
- Hibbard, Emerson, and Richard L. Ornberg. “Restoration of Vision in Genetically Eyeless Axolotls (Ambystoma Mexicanum).” Experimental Neurology, vol. 50, no. 1, 1976, pp. 113–23. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4886(76)90239-9.[↩]