Olm
Proteus anguinus
The olm is a permanently aquatic salamander that lives in the dark underground waters of karst caves in the Balkans. It spends much of its time resting in crevices or moving slowly through pools and passages, locating prey with chemical and vibration-sensitive senses rather than its greatly reduced eyes. It feeds on small crustaceans, insect larvae, snails, and other tiny aquatic animals. Remarkably, it can survive for years without food and may live for many decades.
- Type
- Water
- Conservation status
- VU