How Long Does It Take for an Axolotl to Regrow a Limb?

Abdul Wasay Khatri | Administrator

Last updated: 9 January, 2026

Direct Answer

An axolotl takes 40-50 days to fully regrow a lost limb. You’ll see a small bump forming at the amputation site within the first week, and the limb starts taking shape around 2-3 weeks. By week 6-8, the leg looks normal and works perfectly. Young axolotls regenerate faster than adults a juvenile might regrow a leg in 30-35 days, while an older one takes the full 50-60 days.

The Regeneration Timeline

Week 1 is all about wound healing. The injury site closes up and a white or pink blob called a blastema forms where the limb used to be. This blob contains stem cells that will rebuild everything bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and skin. Nothing looks like a leg yet, just a small bump.

Weeks 2-3 are when things get interesting. The blastema grows larger and starts shaping into a paddle-like structure. You can see where toes will form, though they’re just small nubs at this point. The limb looks stubby and weird, but it’s growing fast. Don’t mess with it during this phase the tissue is delicate.

Weeks 4-6 show real progress. The limb extends, toes separate, and joints develop. The axolotl might try using the leg even though it’s not fully formed yet. By week 6, the leg looks almost normal in size and shape, but the skin might still be lighter colored than the rest of their body.

Weeks 7-8 are the finishing touches. The regenerated limb matches the size of the other legs, skin color evens out, and full function returns. The axolotl walks and swims normally like nothing ever happened.

What Affects Regeneration Speed

Water quality makes the biggest difference. Clean water with zero ammonia and nitrites helps cells regenerate faster. Dirty water slows everything down and can cause infections that stall regrowth completely. Test your water every other day and do more frequent water changes while your axolotl is healing.

Temperature matters too. Cooler water (60-64°F) within their ideal range speeds up regeneration. Water above 68°F stresses them out and slows healing. Don’t make the water too cold trying to speed things up below 58°F also slows regeneration.

Age is a big factor. Baby axolotls under 6 months old regenerate incredibly fast sometimes as quick as 3-4 weeks. Adults 3-5 years old take the standard 40-50 days. Really old axolotls (8+ years) might take 60-70 days. The quality stays the same regardless of age, older ones just work slower.

What got cut off matters. A clean amputation from a bite heals faster than a crushed limb from getting stuck in something. Front legs regrow slightly faster than back legs. Single toes take only 2-3 weeks, while an entire leg from the shoulder takes the full timeline.

FAQ

Can you speed up limb regeneration?
Not really. Keep water pristine, maintain proper temperature, and feed quality protein. That’s it. Don’t add supplements or medications unless treating an infection they won’t speed things up and might cause problems.

Will the new leg look exactly like the old one?
Yes, it grows back identical in size, shape, and color. After a couple months, you won’t be able to tell which leg was regenerated unless you’re keeping close track.

Can an axolotl regrow the same leg multiple times?
Absolutely. They can regrow the same limb 10, 20, even 50+ times throughout their life without any decline in quality. Each regrowth takes about the same amount of time.

Should I separate my axolotl while the limb is regrowing?
Only if it lost the leg from another axolotl biting it. If they’re still aggressive, separate them or it’ll just get bitten off again. Otherwise, leave them in their normal tank.

The regrown leg looks smaller than the others. Is that normal?
Give it more time. The leg reaches full size by 8-10 weeks, but sometimes takes an extra 2-3 weeks to match perfectly. As long as it’s growing and functioning, it’s fine.

Abdul Wasay Khatri
Administrator
Abdul Wasay is the founder and lead author of Axolotl Portal, a trusted site for axolotl care. He spent almost nine months learning about axolotls, including their tanks, feeding, water care, and common health problems. His knowledge comes from trusted vets, research, and real experience from long term axolotl owners. All Posts by