The Olm: Nature’s Living 'Dragon' of Alpine CavesOften hailed as the closest real-life counterpart to mythical dragons, the olm (Proteus anguinus) dwells in the limestone caves of the Alps. With a serpentine body, tiny limbs, and three pairs of vibrant red feathery gills, this amphibian bears an uncanny resemblance to legendary dragon depictions—minus scales. Native to underwater cave systems in Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia, it has inspired myths for centuries, and its image is frequently misused in online hoaxes claiming to show "baby dragons."

A Dragon-like Anatomy Adapted to Darkness

• Ethereal Appearance and Evolutionary Wonders
  The olm grows up to 30 cm long, with a pale, almost translucent body that lacks pigmentation—a result of its lightless habitat. Its most striking feature is the trio of bright red external gills, which extract oxygen from water and give it a mythical aura. Though it has eyes, they are underdeveloped and covered by skin, relying instead on sensory nodes along its body to detect vibrations and chemical signals.
• Remarkable Survival Adaptations
  This cave dweller can live up to 100 years, surviving on a diet of cave-dwelling crustaceans and worms. It can endure years without food, slowing its metabolism to a crawl. Uniquely, it retains larval features into adulthood (neoteny), a rare trait in amphibians that contributes to its otherworldly appearance.

Myth, Misinformation, and Conservation

• From Folklore to Internet Hoaxes
  In medieval times, olms were thought to be baby dragons due to their red gills and serpentine form. Today, edited photos of olms often circulate online as "真龙幼体" (baby real dragons), capitalizing on their mythical allure. Scientists have long worked to dispel these myths, emphasizing the olm’s role as a biological marvel rather than a mythical creature.
• Threats and Protection Status
  Classified as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN, the olm faces risks from groundwater pollution, cave destruction, and climate change. Its restricted range and specialized habitat make it highly sensitive to environmental changes. Conservation efforts in Slovenia’s Postojna Cave and Croatia’s Skocjan Caves focus on preserving water quality and limiting human disturbance to its subterranean home.

Scientific Significance and Subterranean Secrets