Spyyk Toys...

"Toys?" I hear you cry.

Of course toys - what ELSE would he do? He's too lazy to swim about all day, and intelligent enough to get very bored! As it happens, he has a HUGE array of things to do - and I add more when I can! Something as simple as a shotglass can keep him amused for hours at a time...

Scrabble...



Scramble...



Success...



Start again!



Well, we told you so!



It really is good fun! You ought to try it - makes your eyes go allllll funny!


A collection of pretty stones can keep him occupied for quite some time also. They come with different textures, colours and even smells - these will captivate his attention and ensure he learns about his enviroment.

Especially as bright things bring HIS pets over - he likes to chase shrimp!




Where did it go?



AHA!



He even likes to play with me - I don't handle him out of the water, as he is very delicate, and needs to stay moist at all times - but he loves to jump on me, and bite! (It doesn't hurt, even now that he's huge and can chew on my thumb, axolotl teeth aren't sharp enough to do any damage to people.)





Hide and seek is a favourite - he's much better at it now!



(Shhhh - he's a leaf!)




Weird and new things keep them intrigued for ages - "What's this?"


All new things are examined in great detail...



Clambered up...



And Higher Enlightenment attained. Or just sat on. *Meh*



And slept on where possible!



Pingpong balls are good. Just pop two pin holes in, one either end. Submerge it in tank water, and VERY gently squeeze repeatedly, until full of water. Leaving a small airbubble makes it "moon-walk" - great for biting at.

Hidey...

Boo!



They are also very good if you're a toddler, just learning to walk:

Phew! "Tag - You're it!"



As are Marimo moss balls. How about that - a truly versatile plant!



See - if you're really stressed - they're great to kick!

Or - you could just sleep on it.



Clips with certain foods on make for entertaining tug-toys.

Although it's not so great when you have to fight your reflection for it!

Converted budgie toys are fun - the rings here are played with in many ways. He likes to climb it, sniff it, bite it, cart it around on his head - all kinds of things. They move oddly as the water tugs the light plastic, so it's extra interesting. I also caught him dangling off it the other day - hanging on by the fingernails.

I caught him in the act! He was dangling quite merrily, just twisting slowly in the current, until he caught me taking pictures. I swear he went bright pink with embarrassment (although that could be just because he IS bright pink) and shot back out again.

I also put in a whopping great big "diamond". It's actually cut glass with rounded edges, but he seems to like staring at it, and occasionally running up it, then sliding back down! Or just sleeping on it. Apparantly it gives a good viewpoint of the rest of the room, as I often find Spyyk watching me from this new "sofa".

More updates later - watch this space!

Huge thanks to everyone that helped with the eBay sales! I got some really nice wood, and this new toy for Spyyk: He's really happy with it, been sat on it, sniffing it, and staring in general. The shiny blebs in it reflect the light funny, and make it really interesting - apparantly.

Even the turkey-baster can be a source of much amusement. Sometimes I use the bubbles instead of squishes of water - either way, both go down well.

Spyyk did also have Benny in with him for a couple of years until there was a case of mistaken identity. A hungry Ben mistook poor Spyyk's hand for lunch, and accidently bit it off. Thankfully I have a lot of experience dealing with axolotl injuries and illnesses, so I patched him up, tidied the wound and got him a new tank. His hand has since grown back and both axolotl are happily living in their own individual tanks.

Here's a video of Spyyk and Benny meeting for the first time. They were both SO excited - I think they both thought the other might be female. They soon got the confusion sorted out and settled down - but it makes for wonderful viewing :D