About West Florida Axolotls & Exotics
Family-Owned and Operated | Established 2018 | Brooksville, Florida
Hi! I'm Mariel, the owner of West Florida Axolotls & Exotics!
I've loved critters for as long as I can remember. Fur, feathers, scales, gills... it didn't matter!
I've volunteered at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, worked alongside Carole Baskin (yes, THAT Carole Baskin from Tiger King!), and worked alongside two veterinarians.
Although ecology and marine biology were always my passions, I ended up earning my master's degree in criminology. Looking back, I wish I'd followed my love for animals!
How It All Started
I'd wanted an axolotl for what felt like FOREVER, but couldn't find one anywhere!
Then, while working on my master's degree, I came across a girl desperately looking for brine shrimp. I had some eggs, so I offered to help.
Naturally, I asked what she was feeding.
AXOLOTLS!!!
OMG! I'd been looking EVERYWHERE for one!
I asked if I could buy one of her babies, but unfortunately, they all perished.
I was determined to get some axolotls, though! She had contact information for a local seller, so we drove together to get more eggs and split them. Another girl also got eggs around the same time.
Their batches didn't survive.
MINE THRIVED!
Apparently, I had a knack for raising axolotls, and in 2018, West Florida Axolotls & Exotics was born!
From Wine Chillers to Automation
Raising baby axolotls in Florida came with one BIG problem.
THE HEAT!
My solution? Wine chillers!
Most people fill theirs with wine. I had an ENTIRE ROOM full of baby axolotls!
Eventually, I upgraded to larger, climate-controlled spaces.
When my husband came into my life in 2023, I was still doing EVERYTHING manually. Every baby had its own cup, and I spent entire days dumping and refilling them.
Thankfully, my husband is basically Caractacus Potts from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
He's invented automated systems that keep the axolotls in clean, clear water around the clock, dramatically reducing the need for manual water changes.
He may not know all the axolotl morphs yet, but give that man something to invent, and he'll figure it out!
His work has given me more time for the animals, my customers, and most importantly, my family.
Why I Love These Weird Little Creatures
Axolotls are incredible! They retain their juvenile features, can regenerate limbs, and honestly...
HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THEM?! THEY DON'T EVEN LOOK REAL!
But they're also some of the goofiest, laziest creatures I've ever encountered.
Sometimes they'll sit so still that I think, "Are you dead?"
Then they suddenly move!
"AHHHHH! OKAY, YOU'RE NOT DEAD!"
And feeding time? You can drop food right in front of them, and they'll notice it about ten seconds later!
I swear I'm always saying:
"NOW I KNOW WHY YOU'RE GOING EXTINCT!!!"
Obviously, I'm joking! Their critically endangered status in the wild is due to habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species.
And don't even get me started on naming them. If I name an axolotl, I get attached, and suddenly I don't want to sell it!
What We Do Today
We're located in Brooksville, Florida, offering axolotls for sale with local pickup by appointment and overnight shipping to eligible states.
I also help rehome rescued and relinquished axolotls and offer temporary axolotl holding for owners who are traveling, moving, or need assistance.
Animal care comes first. I sell quality pets without breeding rights, provide detailed care guides, and continue helping customers long after their purchase.
I'd rather delay a sale than send an axolotl home before someone is ready.
And if you're wondering whether you'll ever experience that heart attack when your axolotl looks dead...
Oh, you will. I PROMISE! LOL!
Mariel
Owner, West Florida Axolotls & Exotics