Woman Plays Tic-Tac-Toe With Her Axolotl-and People Can't Get Enough
When most people think about playing games with a pet, they probably imagine tossing a ball for a dog or waving a feather wand for a cat. An axolotl usually doesn't come to mind as the perfect game-night partner, but Sara's pet axolotl, Kiwi, just might be.
Sara shared a video that quickly went viral, racking up more than 10 million views, showing her playing tic-tac-toe with Kiwi. The tiny amphibian seems surprisingly invested from the start of Game 1, even if things don't exactly go his way. By Game 2, Kiwi appears even more determined to win, and between his goofy little face and slow but enthusiastic participation, viewers everywhere are completely hooked.
@saras_turtletown Absolute chaos. All the time. #axolotl#axolotlsoftiktok
What Floor? - idokay
People were shocked by Sara's video, and we all had the same question that commenter @Nexus asked: "How the F*CK did you find this out, bro?!" @black_dahlia agreed, "That's what I'm saying!! This is so random lol!" @That girl. added, "This has got to be the most original experience I've seen in years."
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Are Axolotls Smarter Than People Think?
Commenter @lizziebeeb shared, "I love that he probably has some concept that the game equals treats, but maybe doesn't fully know how to win and is just doing so so so good at trying, and I love it!"
Ocean Road Magazine explains that axolotls may actually be smarter than most people realize.
"While it's true that amphibians are not particularly well-known for their intelligence, axolotls manage to stay unique in that regard as well!" the publication notes. "Axolotls have shown to be able to recognize shapes and other animals from a distance (despite their poor eyesight), and can learn to recognize their owners as well as when it is feeding time."
Some studies even suggest axolotls may be able to count up to at least three, a cognitive skill most people probably wouldn't expect from a salamander.
And if Sara's adorable video suddenly has you considering an axolotl of your own, Ocean Road Magazine says they're actually fairly easy to care for, "making them an excellent choice for exotic pet novices and experts alike." Between their cute smiles and surprisingly sharp little brains, it's not hard to see why the internet is obsessed with them.
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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 8:00 PM.