Is Lottie the axolotl real?

Yes! Lottie is a real, live axolotl and the famous studio pet at CREATIVE in Claremont, NC.

How old is Lottie the axolotl?

Lottie was born on April 12, 2025, and came home to CREATIVE when she was 3 months old.

Can I visit Lottie the axolotl?

Yes. Stop by CREATIVE at 3246 W Main Street in Claremont, NC anytime we're open. No ticket or reservation needed.

What does Lottie the axolotl eat?

Lottie's favorite food is red wiggler worms, and she also eats vitamin pellets.

Are axolotls real animals?

Yes. Axolotls are real salamanders native to the lakes around Mexico City, known for their natural smile, feathery gills and ability to regrow lost limbs.

Meet Lottie the Axolotl

Our famous studio pet, and the happiest face in downtown Claremont.

Lottie the axolotl, CREATIVE's famous studio pet, saying hi in downtown Claremont, NC

Yes, she's real. Yes, she's smiling at you.

Meet Lottie, CREATIVE's famous studio axolotl! Kids adore her, grown-ups can't get enough of her, and plenty of people stop by downtown Claremont just to say hi. Most first-time visitors have the same reaction: "Wait… is she real?!" She sure is.

Lottie the axolotl smiling up close with her feathery gills at CREATIVE pottery studio — That built-in smile gets everyone.

100% realand 100% adorable

April 12is her birthday

Freeto visit, no ticket needed

All ageslove her

Come say hi!

You don't need a reservation, a ticket or a project to visit Lottie. Just stop in anytime we're open. Lots of families make "visiting Lottie" part of their trip downtown, and we love it. Stay to paint, grab a drink from The Creative Brew, or just pop in to wave hello. She'll be waving back.

Lottie's story

Lottie was born on April 12, 2025, at 10:37 in the morning, one of 14 babies in her family. That's 13 brothers and sisters! Her mom is a pink axolotl, and her dad has the same dark coloring as Lottie.

She came home to CREATIVE when she was just 3 months old, and she's loved being here ever since. These days she's the happiest face in downtown Claremont.

Favorite food

Red wiggler worms are her absolute favorite, with vitamin pellets to keep her healthy and strong.

Favorite game

Hide and seek! Check behind her plants and her rock cave. She loves a good hiding spot.

Favorite people

Her little human friends. She loves to wave at every kid who comes to visit her.

Lottie loves a photo op

Lottie is a total ham for the camera. Snap a selfie with her, get the kids' faces next to her tank, and tag us @creative.claremont on Instagram and Facebook so we can share your Lottie moment.

Lottie the axolotl next to her fairy house in her tank at CREATIVE in Claremont, NC

Lottie the axolotl exploring her rock cave at CREATIVE paint-your-own pottery studio

Lottie the axolotl walking on the sand in her tank at CREATIVE in Claremont, NC

"Wait, axolotls are real?"

We hear it every day! Axolotls (say it "AX-oh-lot-ul") look like a cartoon come to life, but they're real animals, and pretty amazing ones.

They're salamanders. Even though they live underwater and get called "walking fish," axolotls are amphibians, cousins of frogs and newts.
That smile is natural. Axolotls have a built-in grin, which is why Lottie always looks happy to see you.
Those frilly "antlers" are gills. The feathery branches on Lottie's head help her breathe underwater, and axolotls keep them their whole lives.
They're super healers. Axolotls can regrow lost limbs and even parts of their heart, which makes scientists love them too.
They're rare in the wild. Wild axolotls come from just one place, the lakes and canals around Mexico City, and they're critically endangered there.

Please be gentle with Lottie

Lottie the axolotl peeking out from the plants in her tank at CREATIVE

Look with your eyes, not your hands. Little fingers stay off the tank.
No tapping on the glass. Lottie can feel it, and it startles her.
Please don't feed Lottie. She's very particular about her worms!
Flash photos are okay to skip. Natural light makes her look her best anyway!

Paint a Lottie

Lottie fans, this one's for you. Paint your own Lottie-inspired pottery, and watch our events calendar for Lottie theme nights and kids' events. Planning a birthday? Every party gets a chance to meet Lottie, too.

Come paint and see Lottie Plan a party with Lottie

Find Lottie at CREATIVE, 3246 W Main Street, Claremont, NC 28610. Open Tuesday and Wednesday 8am–4pm, Thursday through Saturday 8am–6pm.