Because of their small size and red gills, reminiscent of an ornate baroque collar or ruff, people once believed them to be the young offspring of dragons, washed to the surface by underground rivers.
The human fish or “olm” (Proteus anguinus), to give it its proper name, was first scientifically described in the 18th century. It is the only cave-dwelling vertebrate in Europe and the largest cave animal in the world.
If you would like to see it in its natural environment, then a visit to Planina Cave, where there is a permanent and very sizeable olm population, is an excellent opportunity to do so.
See alsoPlanina Cave
Planina Cave (sometimes also called Mali grad Cave) is located on the southern edge of Planina Field, in the immediate vicinity of the Ravbar tower. It consists of various halls, many beautiful lakes and dripstones. The cave is almost seven kilometers long and is considered the largest water cave in Slovenia. Its other important feature...Read more Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave was discovered long ago, in 1818 by a local, cave guide Luka Čeč. Today, Postojna Cave is the most visited European cave and at the same time the most visited tourist sight in Slovenia. To date, it has been viewed by more than 40 million enthusiastic visitors from all over the world. With...Read more Proteus Cave with a vivarium
Postojna Cave is a home to more than 150 species of animals. A fragment of the typical fauna that developed in the extreme living conditions of the underground world can be seen in the Vivarium, where visitors can get familiar with the diversity of representatives of cave life. The vivarium is located in the Trench...Read more
Planina Cave
Planina Cave (sometimes also called Mali grad Cave) is located on the southern edge of Planina Field, in the immediate vicinity of the Ravbar tower. It consists of various halls, many beautiful lakes and dripstones. The cave is almost seven kilometers long and is considered the largest water cave in Slovenia. Its other important feature...
Read more 
Postojna Cave
Postojna Cave was discovered long ago, in 1818 by a local, cave guide Luka Čeč. Today, Postojna Cave is the most visited European cave and at the same time the most visited tourist sight in Slovenia. To date, it has been viewed by more than 40 million enthusiastic visitors from all over the world. With...
Read more 
Proteus Cave with a vivarium
Postojna Cave is a home to more than 150 species of animals. A fragment of the typical fauna that developed in the extreme living conditions of the underground world can be seen in the Vivarium, where visitors can get familiar with the diversity of representatives of cave life. The vivarium is located in the Trench...
Read more