Often refferred to as baby dragons, Olms aren't that different from the common perception of the mythological creatures from childrens' bedtime stories. Olms look much like very long worms. They have flaring gills on the sides of their heads and four tiny legs. Their front legs are attached to two little toes and three on the hind legs. Due to the absence of light so deep in the water where Olm's live, they have absolutely no need for sight. Therefore, Olm's don't even develope eyes and instead live with blindness. To make up for this loss, the rest of the Olm's senses have become extrasensory. Their hearing is impeccable, along with their uncanny ability to feel movements in the water. This helps them to find food when it happens to be nearby. The length of their bodies allows them to twist through the water a lot like snakes do, another reason for their "dragon" reputation.
Olms have a life span up to one-hundred years. They reach maturity anywhere between the ages of 10-15 and after mating, females are able to lay 5-30 eggs at a time. Once Olms are hatched, they change from tadpole form to take on the look of their parents in just a few months.
Olms have a life span up to one-hundred years. They reach maturity anywhere between the ages of 10-15 and after mating, females are able to lay 5-30 eggs at a time. Once Olms are hatched, they change from tadpole form to take on the look of their parents in just a few months.