The Sneaky Salamander
The olm is a blind salamander that lives deep in caves in Europe. For a long time, scientists believed these creatures spent their entire lives in the dark, underground water. But a recent study revealed a surprise! Researchers discovered that olms will actually travel to the surface, even during the daytime, to hunt for food like earthworms. This changes what we know about these amazing animals that only lay eggs about once every 12 years! Learn more!
Wee Ones
An olm has 2 feathery gills on its head and 2 tiny front legs. Can you show me that many fingers on your hand without counting them one by one?
Little Kids
An olm is hunting for a snack. It finds a group of 16 earthworms and eats 9 of them. How many earthworms are left?
Big Kids
If a mother olm lays eggs only once every 12 years, how many times will she lay eggs in 36 years?
The Sky's the Limit
An olm is at the bottom of a cave pool, 6 metres directly below an opening in the cave ceiling. It senses an earthworm on the water's surface, 8 metres away from the opening. What is the straight-line distance the olm must swim to get from the bottom of the pool to the earthworm? (Hint: The path forms a right-angled triangle).