How Axolotls Breathe Underwater
Axolotls live underwater, so they need special organs to breathe while swimming. They use gills, which are like feathery branches on the sides of their heads.
What the Gills Do
- The gills are full of tiny blood vessels.
- When axolotls are in water, oxygen from the water passes into these blood vessels.
- Carbon dioxide leaves the blood and goes back into the water to be breathed away.
Why the Gills Look Like Feathery Branches
The feathery shape increases the surface area, so more oxygen from the water can move into the blood at once. This helps axolotls get the air they need while staying underwater.
Quick Summary
- Axolotls live underwater.
- They breathe with gills that look like feathery branches.
- Gills take in oxygen from water and release carbon dioxide.