84 Cute Axolotl Pictures Because Life’s Too Short For Just Cats And Dogs

Move over, cat videos. Step aside, dog memes. It's time for a new Internet sensation, and it comes in the form of an aquatic, fringed, always-surprised-looking salamander — the axolotl. Don't worry too much if you've never heard of them, just prepare for the next few minutes of your life to be filled with cuteness. This collection of axolotl pictures will steal your heart faster than you can say "Mexican walking fish!"

First things first, let's address the fringed gill in the room — why dedicate a whole post to them? Axolotls, or as we just renamed them, underwater smile factories, are ridiculously adorable. No, they're not aliens. No, they're not Pokémon either, although their charm level is dangerously close to "I Choose You!" status. Their eternally surprised expressions make it seem like they've just realized they've left the stove on. Pair that with a range of colors that make a box of Crayolas look monochrome, and it's no surprise how a wave of cute axolotl photos could rapidly become the "it" thing on the Internet.

And that's just the tip of the axolotl iceberg! While looking for material for our list, we learned some really cool facts about axolotls. Originating from the ancient Xochimilco lake system near Mexico City, these water weirdos have a trick that will surprise you: they can regenerate lost body parts. That's right. Lost a limb? No problem. The axolotl will act as the Wolverine of the animal world and just regrow it.

Keeping axolotls as pets may sound like the craziest idea. Still, some people out there were crazy — and hopefully knowledgeable — enough to adopt one and share pictures of them with the world! So here they are for you. Keep in mind the side effects, though: the diversity of axolotl colors you'll find here may potentially leave you with an urgent desire to adopt an axolotl, an insatiable craving for more axolotl photos, and a sudden indifference to all other adorable animals out there (except pandas, of course).

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Who Could Stay Upset At A Face Like That?

Cute axolotl next to a hand-written note in a lush fish tank.

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84 Cute Axolotl Pictures Because Life’s Too Short For Just Cats And Dogs

Who Could Stay Upset At A Face Like That?

Paint Me Like One Of Your French Girls

"Bartender, Give Me The Usual"

Tiny Food. Tiny Hat. Tiny Food-Hat

Guys I Finally Did It…

Just Had To Share, Look How Cute He Is

Those Gills Tho

Dragon Friends Irl

He’s So Cute I Can Hardly Stand It!

Why Are Axolotls So Dumb? Look At Him. He’s The Living Embodiment Of - No Thought, Head Empty

Behold! The Very Rare Googly-Eyed Axolotl

Update On The Batch I Had With The Multiple Babies In One Egg. They Turned Out Great Had A Really Really High Survival Rate

Help: What To Do When Axolotl T-Poses You?

Star Crossed Lovers

Just Two Bffs

Gubgub Doing Her Best Godzilla Impression!

Special Delivery!

Don’t You Dare Touch My Flowerpot It’s Mine And Mine Only

Just Wanted To Share My Little Guy! Meet Drama

Friends That Log Together, Stay Together

Shrek The Axolotl Says Hi From Bikini Bottom!

Stefan The Axolotl!

I Don’t Remember Getting A Dog

This Is Noodles He Is A Floofy Boy

I Love Her So Much!

That Shrimp In Between Them Is Living On The Wild Side…

He’s Just The Cutest! He’s Got No Brain, But A Big Smile

Best Pic I Have

He Smiles For The Camera

Look, I’m A Walrus!

Jerry Wanted To Say Hello

Did Someone Say… Pellet?!

One Of My Favs. Baby Dulce

Meatball Is Back. He Would Like You To Turn Off The Lights And Pretend You Didn't See This

"Welcome To My Shop, What Can I Do Ya For"

I Wonder What She’s Thinking About

My Axolotl Kirby Would Like To Throw Their Hat Into The Ring With A Cute Picture, He Tried To Pick... But Couldn't!

I Think Ghost Has A Crush

Meet Banana!

Father Why Do You Mock Me So

Smile For The Camera!

Under The Rainbow

His Pose, I'm Screaming

Hey Guys, I Got An Axolotl Like 1 Month Ago And Im Just Wondering Why He Is So Ugly.

Gollum The Morphed Axolotl. I Love My Goth, Rubber Muppet

An Axolotl Getting An X-Ray, Before & After

Had To Tub The Babies And Came Home To This Nightmare

Happy Valentine's Day!

These Are Snap Shots Of A Breath Of Air

I Was Doing A Water Change On My Lil Homies Tank, And I Turned Around And Saw Him Just Staring At Me Like This-

Cute Axolotl

My Little Stormfly

A Much Needed A Smile To Brighten My Mood

Petunia In All Her Glory! Her Eggs Should Be Hatching Today Or Tomorrow! Yay

Happy Wooper

Fred Wishes Everyone An Evening Full Of Smiles!

Unseen Picture Of My Ugly Axolotl. He Is Happy That So Many People Like Him!

I've Been Asked A Few Times If Morphed Axolotls Can Be Handled... The Answer Is Yes! Briefly!

How Often Do You Guys Water Your Axolotl? Mine Always Seems Thirsty

Ziggy Trying To Blend In W Her Surroundings

Gold Albino Axolotl

This Is Sheba. She’s The New Rescue And Loves To Smile And Watch Me Put On My Shoes

The One Of A Kind Two-Headed Half N Half Axolotl

Beets

My Morphed Axolotl, Nyx, Watching Me Prep His Breakfast

Walter’s Tank Was A Bit Warm So I Gave Him Some Ice

Quarantine Can't Be So Bad If It Means I Get To See More Of This Sweet Derpy Face

You Like See-Food? - Itzi The Morphed Axolotl

Plate Trained! “Ma Where’s My Worms”

Why Is His Lip So Big? Is That Where His Half A Brain Cell Went?

Wooooorm Day!

I Caught My Axolotl Smiling Again. His Name Is Wooper

Oh Boy! Is That Giant Wormy For Meeeeep?!

Begging For Food

His Gills Are So Fluffy

Oh, It's You Again. Are You Here To Bring Me Worms?

My Boyfriend Caught The Loveliest Photo Of Standing Char

My 2 Little Love Bugs Cecil And Carlos

Ned’s Jealous. He Wanted A Photo Shoot Too..