Animal Profiles
Amphibians

Olm

Proteus anguinus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The olm is a cave-dwelling salamander of southeastern Europe. Its pale body, reduced eyes and external gills reflect a life spent in dark underground fresh water.

Proteus anguinus (olm)

Arne Hodalič · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Rivers and lakes
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Small aquatic invertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Olm
Browse group
Amphibians
Scientific name or taxon
Proteus anguinus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Caudata
Family
Proteidae
Genus
Proteus
Source classification
Amphibia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Adults retain external gills.
  • It lives in underground fresh water.
  • Its eyes are greatly reduced.

Habitat and range

Olms inhabit limestone cave streams and pools along the Dinaric region, including Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Much of their habitat lies deep inside inaccessible cave systems.

Appearance and adaptations

The slender body has tiny limbs, a laterally flattened tail and feathery external gills. Typical cave populations have pale skin and eyes concealed beneath the skin.

Diet and behaviour

Small aquatic invertebrates supply food. Chemical and mechanical senses help locate prey in darkness. Animals shelter in crevices or beneath rocks; much about movement and home ranges remains difficult to study.

Sources

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