Why Scientists Spent Over 2,500 Days Observing a Stationary Olm: Surprising Insights Revealed!

When a team of scientists studied olms in a dark cave in the Balkans, they expected to learn about these unique amphibians. What they found was surprising: many olms hardly moved at all, with some staying in the same spot for years.

Olms are rare salamanders found only in the subterranean waters of Europe, especially along the Adriatic coast in countries like Slovenia and Croatia. With pale skin and small limbs, they look like ghostly, aquatic snakes that live in dark caves. Local legends say they are the offspring of dragons, surfacing during heavy rains.

Living in complete darkness, olms have lost their eyesight over time. Their eyes are covered in skin, making them effectively blind. To help them find food, they have sensitive chemoreceptors that detect organic matter in the water. This allows them to locate their food—like insect larvae and small snails.

Remarkably, olms can go without food for years. This ability means they don’t spend energy searching for meals, which explains their lazy nature. Between 2010 and 2018, researchers tagged and monitored 26 olms in a cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They found that on average, these creatures moved only about 5 meters (16 feet) a year. For one olm, research showed it didn’t move at all for 2,569 days—almost seven years!

This sedentary behavior sharply contrasts with what has been observed in labs, where olms tend to move around more. It seems that their lifestyle in the wild prioritizes energy conservation. Olms can live up to 100 years but reproduce very infrequently, about once every 12.5 years. With such a slow life pace, they have no reason to hurry.

However, the researchers pointed out that this behavior might not reflect all olms. The population they studied was genetically similar, which could mean their laziness is unique to that group.

This research highlights an important lesson: observing animals in their natural habitat can reveal behaviors that lab settings might overlook. As scientists continue to explore the natural world, they may discover even more surprising insights about these fascinating creatures.

For context, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the olm as a vulnerable species, emphasizing the importance of preserving their cave habitats. Understanding their unique lifestyle could be key to protecting them for future generations.



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