The Big Pet Project is the show filled with some of the most unusual, clever and downright adorable pets you’ll ever see on Irish TV. Join Adam and Demi as they head to Belfast to meet a smart rat, a sheep who thinks it’s a dog, and a little dog on wheels, but the real stars this time out might just be Christian’s amazing Axolotls.
As soon as Adam sees Christian’s Axolotls, Elphaba and Dart, the first thing he notices are the "little furry bits" around their necks. Christian explains that these feathery frills are gills – axolotls use them to breathe underwater.
Even though they’re amphibians, Axolotls live their entire lives in water, which makes them very different from frogs or newts. Adam and Demi get to gently touch one, and they’re shocked by how soft they are: "Soft and slimy...not what I expected!" Press play up top to see how they got on...
What Do We Learn About Axolotls?
- They breathe using the gills on their neck
- Unlike other amphibians they live in water for their whole lives
- They are soft and slimy to touch
- Their usual diet includes pellets, bloodworms, and sometimes earthworms as a treat
Superpower alert
One of Christian’s axolotls, Elphaba, is growing back its tail. That’s because axolotls can regenerate not only their tails, but also their legs, their heart, and even parts of their brain.
Mind. Blown.
Where do they come from?
- In the wild, axolotls are found in only one place: lakes and canals just outside Mexico City.
- They don’t go through metamorphosis like frogs do. Instead, they stay in their baby form for their whole lives, which usually last between 5 and 15 years.
- And yes - axolotls became super famous thanks to Pokémon and Minecraft, but also because they’re "so flipping weird and cute."
The serious side
Axolotl numbers are dropping in the wild because their natural habitat is being polluted. That’s why pets like Christian’s are so important: they show how young people can give these unique creatures a safe home.
The Pet Mobile’s Belfast adventure is packed with even more unusual moments as Adam and Demi:
- meet a naked cat who needs a stylish outfit to keep warm
- learn about a very smart rat
- see a sheep who thinks it’s a dog
- Dr Bobby help Princess the Green-Winged Macaw, who swallowed some metal
- Plus, they visit a school to meet a little dog on wheels who wins everyone’s heart.
The Big Pet Project is streaming now on RTÉ Player, and you can catch clips, fun moments and more animal chaos on the RTÉ KIDS YouTube channel - click here to see the full playlist.
