# Olm (*Proteus anguinus*)

The olm is a special salamander that lives underwater. It has a long, smooth body and can be very pale because it doesn't see sunlight.

- **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 2/5 · Low
- **Habitat:** Caves and underwater rivers
- **Also known as:** Human Fish

![Olm](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424337/objects/5745.jpg)

## Appearance

The Olm has a slender, eel-like body with smooth, pale pinkish-white skin due to a complete lack of pigment. It features distinctive feathery, bright red external gills behind its head, and tiny, undeveloped eyes are covered by skin.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Amphibia
- **Order:** Caudata
- **Family:** Proteidae
- **Genus:** Proteus

## Interesting facts

- Olm are sometimes called "human fish" because of their pale, skin-like color.
- Olm were once thought to be baby dragons emerging from underground caves!
- Their skin is pale pink because they never see sunlight in their dark cave homes.
- They can live an astonishing 10 years without eating a single meal!

## Special abilities

- **Sensory Superpower:** Olm can sense prey and navigate using heightened smell, hearing, and electroreception in total darkness.
- **Extreme Survivor:** Olm has a super-slow metabolism that allows them to survive for many years without food.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 20-30 cm
- **Weight:** 0.02-0.1 kg
- **Lifespan:** 70-100 years
- **Speed:** 0.1 km/h
- **Clutch Size:** 12-70

## Diet & Feeding

This cave amphibian dines on small invertebrates and tiny fish.

- **Primary Foods:** Small crustaceans, Insect larvae, Snails, Worms
- **Foraging Method:** Ambush

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** Cave amphipod (*Niphargus stygius*) — Olm actively hunts this small cave-dwelling crustacean.
- **Hunts:** Cave shrimp (*Troglocaris anophthalmus*) — The Olm also consumes this tiny, blind cave-dwelling shrimp.
- **Hunts:** Freshwater flatworm (*Phagocata vitta*) — Sometimes the Olm will eat these small, delicate cave flatworms.

## Traits

- [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
- [Cave Dwelling](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cave-dwelling): Cave dwelling describes organisms specifically adapted to live in underground cave systems, often exhibiting specialized traits due to lack of light.
- [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
- [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
- [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
- [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
- [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.

## Collections

- [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians)

## Safety

**Danger:** 2/5 · Low

Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Olm?

Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Olm?

20-30 cm

### How much does Olm weigh?

0.02-0.1 kg

### How long does Olm live?

70-100 years

### How fast can Olm move?

0.1 km/h

### What does Olm eat?

This cave amphibian dines on small invertebrates and tiny fish.

### Where is Olm usually found?

Caves and underwater rivers

### How does Olm hunt?

Ambush

## More Amphibians

- [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*)
- [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*)
- [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*)
- [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*)

---

Source: [Olm: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/olm)