The first question most will ask is “What is an OLM?” Well, it is also known as a Proteus. Yes, I know, that doesn’t help much either. It is actually a worm-like amphibian of the salamander family. They live underwater all their lives exist in caves in the Balkans. These underwater caves stretch for many, many miles as the water flows through limestone rocks. The Olm is completely blind but this is compensated by very sensitive senses of smell and hearing.
It is about 20 to 30 centimetres in length. This makes it one of the largest cave-dwelling creatures known. They have a white skin colour which has earned them the nickname of the “human fish.” The first mention we have of them comes from a naturalist by the name of Valvasor who in 1689, wrote about them in his book, “Glory of the Duchy of Carniola.”
So, what makes this creature unusual? For a start, it is pretty good at dieting as it is able to go without food was up to 10 years. Don’t try it at home! There is no such thing as the OLM Diet!” It does this by consuming large amounts of its chosen food such as tiny shrimp and insects amongst other creatures. It does not chew its food but swallows it whole. It is then able to store the nutrients from this consumption in the form of lipids and glycogen in the liver.
Besides being able to survive not eating for 10 years, the proteus also has a long lifespan. On average, it is thought they can live to 68 years but it is believed some can reach 100 years. That’s pretty good for a worm or anything else. It is also unusual for a amphibian. Their lifespan is much longer than would be predicted for a creature of this body mass.
Finally, it is held in high esteem in Slovakia where it can be found. The Postojna Cave is home to the proteus as well as other rare cave dwellers such as the Blind Cave Beetle. Its image has appeared on a Slovakian coin and the oldest science magazine in the country, started in 1933, was named after it.
John Pullen 