Is it Illegal to keep an Axolotl as a Pet, and is it Ethical?
Axolotls are fascinating creatures that have gained popularity worldwide as pets. But is it actually legal to have an axolotl at home? And, perhaps more importantly, is it ethically responsible to keep these animals as pets?
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Laws Surrounding Axolotls
Whether it is legal to keep an axolotl as a pet depends on where you live. In some countries and states, there are strict regulations or outright bans on keeping axolotls. This is because the species is critically endangered in the wild and is protected under the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) regulations. Axolotls are listed under CITES Appendix II, meaning the trade in wild specimens is strictly regulated.
In the United States, for example, it is illegal to own axolotls in certain states like California and New Jersey. These bans aim to protect wild populations and prevent harm to local ecosystems. However, in many other parts of the world, such as the Netherlands, it is legal to keep axolotls as pets, provided they come from responsible breeding programs.
