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Study Reveals Olms Stay Motionless for Over Seven Years

Scientists tracked olms in Bosnia and found one did not move for 2,569 days.

July 14, 2025 at 04:28 PM

Scientists Tracked An Olm For 2,569 Days And It Did Not Move An Inch

New research reveals surprising truths about olm behavior in their natural habitat.

Scientists Discover Olms Remain Motionless for Over Seven Years

Scientists have found that olms, rare cave-dwelling salamanders from Europe, showed astonishing immobility in their natural environment. A study between 2010 and 2018 tracked 26 olms in a cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Researchers were surprised to find one olm remained entirely still for 2,569 days, which is over seven years. Overall, these creatures only moved an average of 5 meters per year. Their sedentary lifestyle, contrasting with more active behavior observed in labs, may be a strategy for energy conservation given their long lifespan and ability to survive without food for extended periods.

Key Takeaways

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Olms can remain motionless for years, adapting to their habitat's challenges.

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Energy conservation might be a key survival strategy for olms.

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This study highlights the importance of observing wildlife in natural settings.

"This sedentary behavior is tied to the species’ energy-conserving lifestyle."

This quote explains the adaptation of olms to conserve energy for survival.

"The research clearly shows how much more can be learned by studying organisms in their natural environment."

This highlights the importance of field studies over lab conditions for understanding animal behavior.

The behavior of olms challenges our understanding of amphibian lifestyle choices. While laboratory conditions encourage movement and social interaction, the wild olms' strategy of conserving energy raises questions about the adaptability of species in their natural habitats. This could indicate a broader trend in wildlife behavior that warrants further investigation, particularly as environments change. The genetic uniformity found among the cave-dwelling population adds another layer, suggesting their unique adaptation might not reflect all olms.