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A lazy cave salamander didn't move from the same spot for 7 years

By Michael Marshall

2 February 2020

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Olm sweet olm: these cave-dwelling salamanders are the ultimate homebodies

Bal谩zs Lerner & Gergely Bal谩zs, Caudata Cave Research Group

Some of us are homebodies, but olms take it to a new level. These cave-dwelling salamanders may stay within the same little patch of ground for years on end.

鈥淭hey are hanging around, doing almost nothing,鈥 says Gergely Bal谩zs at E枚tv枚s Lor谩nd University in Budapest, Hungary.

Olms are salamanders that live in European caves. They have adapted to life in total darkness: their skin is pale and their eyes don’t develop, leaving them blind. They…

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