Why Does My Axolotl Smile? The Cute Truth Every Owner Should Know

Abdul Wasay Khatri | Administrator

Last updated: 24 January, 2026

That grin on your axolotl’s face is probably why you got one in the first place. But here’s something that might surprise you they’re not actually smiling at all.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on with that adorable face.

The Real Reason Behind the “Smile”

Your axolotl isn’t happy, sad, or feeling anything about that look on its face. That “smile” is just how their mouth is shaped. It’s their face, not their feelings.

Think about it like this: a dolphin looks like it’s smiling too, but that’s just how its face is built. Same thing with axolotls.

It’s All About the Jaw

Axolotls have wide mouths that naturally curve up at the corners. Their bottom jaw sits a little behind their upper jaw, which makes that cute upturned look we see as a smile.

This jaw shape actually helps them catch food by creating suction when they open their mouth fast. The “smile” is just what happens when you have a mouth built for slurping up worms.

Do Axolotls Have Feelings?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Axolotls DO have feelings just not like we do.

They can feel:

• Stress (when water’s too hot or dirty)
• Discomfort (when they’re sick)
• Calm (when everything’s good)
• Excitement (especially when it’s feeding time)

But they don’t feel happiness or sadness like humans. They’re amphibians with simple brains focused on staying alive: eating, hiding, and being comfortable.

What Their Body Really Tells You

Forget the smile here’s what shows how your axolotl is actually doing:

That smile never changes, but these things tell you everything you need to know.

Why We Love the Smile Anyway

Even though the smile isn’t real, it still makes axolotls cute as heck. There’s science behind why we find it so lovable.

Humans Like Baby Faces

We’re naturally drawn to things that remind us of babies:

• Big eyes
• Round faces
• Small noses
• Smiling mouths

Axolotls have almost all of these. Their face makes our brains go “awww” the same way puppies and kittens do. It’s why you can’t stop staring at your axolotl.

They Look Friendly

A smiling face makes us feel safe and happy. Even though your axolotl’s smile is fake, your brain still sees it as friendly. That’s why axolotls blew up on the internet they look like they’re having the best time ever, every single day.

Fun Fact: They’re Stuck as Babies

Want to know something even cooler? Axolotls never grow up.

Most salamanders start as water-breathing babies with gills, then turn into land-living adults with lungs. Axolotls skip that whole thing. They stay in their baby form forever gills, water-breathing, and all.

Scientists call this “neoteny.” It’s why axolotls look so cute and “smiley” compared to other salamanders. They’re basically kids forever.

When the Smile Should Worry You

The smile itself never changes, but watch out for these problems:

If the mouth looks different than the normal smile, something’s wrong.

Other Animals With “Fake” Smiles

Axolotls aren’t the only ones tricking us:

• Dolphins – That smile is just how their jaw is shaped
• Quokkas – Called “the world’s happiest animal” but it’s just their face
• Bearded dragons – Look like they’re grinning when they’re just breathing
• Ball pythons – Have mouths that turn up and look like smiles

We humans love thinking animals have emotions like us. It’s totally normal, just not always true.

Should You Stop Thinking They’re Smiling?

Nope! Love that cute face!

Knowing the smile isn’t real doesn’t make it less adorable. Keep taking pictures, keep thinking your axolotl looks happy, keep showing everyone that goofy grin.

Just remember to check their gills, behavior, and water to know how they’re REALLY doing. The smile won’t tell you if something’s wrong how they act will.

Quick FAQs

1. Are axolotls really smiling at me?

Nope! That smile is just the natural shape of their mouth. Their jaw curves upward at the corners, which makes them look like they’re grinning all the time. It’s not based on how they’re feeling—it’s just how their face is built.

2. Can axolotls feel happy?

Not the way humans do. Axolotls can feel stress, comfort, or excitement (especially around food), but they don’t experience happiness or joy like we do. Their brains are pretty simple and focused on survival stuff like eating and staying safe.

3. Does the smile ever go away?

Never! The smile is permanent because it’s just their mouth shape. Whether they’re healthy, sick, eating, or sleeping, that grin stays the same. That’s why you need to watch their gills and behavior instead of their face to know how they’re doing.

4. Why do baby axolotls smile too?

Because they’re born with that mouth shape! Even tiny baby axolotls have the same upturned mouth as adults. It’s there from day one and never changes as they grow.

5. Do all axolotls smile the same way?

Pretty much, yeah. All axolotls have that same basic smile because they all have the same jaw structure. Some might look like they’re smiling bigger or smaller based on their individual face shape, but they all have that grin.

6. What does it mean if my axolotl’s mouth is open?

If their mouth is stuck open or won’t close, that’s NOT normal and isn’t part of the smile. This could mean they’re hurt, sick, have something stuck in their mouth, or have a jaw problem. Check for injuries or fungus and consider seeing a vet.

7. Why does the smile make them so popular?

People love faces that look happy and friendly. The smile makes axolotls seem cute and approachable, even though it’s fake. Our brains are wired to like baby-like features (big eyes, round faces, smiles), and axolotls hit all those buttons.

8. Do axolotls know they look like they’re smiling?

No way. Axolotls have no idea what their face looks like. They don’t have mirrors and their brains aren’t built for self-awareness. They’re just living their life with zero clue that we think they look happy.

9. Can I tell my axolotl’s mood from their face?

Not from the smile, but YES from other parts of their face! Watch their gills—if they’re fluffy and forward, they’re good. If they’re pressed back against their head, they’re stressed. The mouth won’t tell you anything, but the gills tell you everything.

10. Do other salamanders smile like this?

Nope! Most salamanders lose their gills and change their whole face when they grow up. Axolotls keep their baby face forever, which is why they look so different (and cuter) than other salamanders. That permanent baby look is what gives them the smile.

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