Olm
ExploreAmphibians
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.
Habitat: Caves and underwater rivers
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.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAmphibiaOrderCaudataFamilyProteidaeGenusProteus
Category
AmphibiansRarity
Rare
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
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
Ability
Sensory Superpower
Olm can sense prey and navigate using heightened smell, hearing, and electroreception in total darkness.
Ability
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
- Top 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
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Cave Dwelling
Cave dwelling describes organisms specifically adapted to live in underground cave systems, often exhibiting specialized traits due to lack of light.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
Human Fish
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
How many eggs does Olm lay?
12-70
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
