Olm
The Olm or Proteus (Proteus anguinus) is an amphibian that lives in the subterranean waters of the Dinaric karst from the Soča river basin near Trieste in Italy through southern Slovenia and southwestern Croatia to Herzegovina.
It is the only species in the genus Proteus, the only European species of the family Proteidae, and the only European cave-dwelling caudate. It is also called the "human fish" or "humanfish", because of its human-like skin, Cave Salamander, or White Salamander.
This animal is most notable for its adaptations to life in the complete darkness of its underground habitat. The Olm's eyes have atrophied, leaving it blind, while its other senses, particularly those of smell and hearing, are acute.
It also has no skin pigmentation. In contrast to other amphibians, the Olm is wholly aquatic, not only breeding underwater but living its entire life there. This is possible due to their retention of larval characteristics, such as external gills, into adulthood.
The Olm swims by eel-like twisting of its body, assisted only slightly by its poorly developed legs.
It is a predatory animal, feeding on small crabs, snails and occasionally insects. It does not chew its food, instead swallowing it whole.
The Olm is resistant to long-term starvation, an adaptation to its underground habitat. It can consume large amounts of food at once, and store nutrients as large deposits of lipids and glycogen in the liver.
When food is scarce, it reduces its activity and metabolic rate, and can also reabsorb its own tissues in severe cases. Controlled experiments have shown that an Olm can survive up to 10 years without food.
It is the only species in the genus Proteus, the only European species of the family Proteidae, and the only European cave-dwelling caudate. It is also called the "human fish" or "humanfish", because of its human-like skin, Cave Salamander, or White Salamander.
This animal is most notable for its adaptations to life in the complete darkness of its underground habitat. The Olm's eyes have atrophied, leaving it blind, while its other senses, particularly those of smell and hearing, are acute.
It also has no skin pigmentation. In contrast to other amphibians, the Olm is wholly aquatic, not only breeding underwater but living its entire life there. This is possible due to their retention of larval characteristics, such as external gills, into adulthood.
The Olm swims by eel-like twisting of its body, assisted only slightly by its poorly developed legs.
It is a predatory animal, feeding on small crabs, snails and occasionally insects. It does not chew its food, instead swallowing it whole.
The Olm is resistant to long-term starvation, an adaptation to its underground habitat. It can consume large amounts of food at once, and store nutrients as large deposits of lipids and glycogen in the liver.
When food is scarce, it reduces its activity and metabolic rate, and can also reabsorb its own tissues in severe cases. Controlled experiments have shown that an Olm can survive up to 10 years without food.
posted by J@s0n ^.^ at 4:40 PM
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