With its flesh-colored skin and flat head framed by fluffy gills, the cave-dwelling olm looks very similar to the axolotl. Yet, make no mistake: unlike the perpetually smiling axolotl, these cave-dwelling creatures do not make good pets. Why? Even if you could recreate its very specific native habitat, there would be few opportunities for interaction.
Olms would offer little engagement aside from being display pieces. They can even slow down their metabolism and avoid eating for years at a time. So, they wouldn’t even need you for meals!
Olms Would Make Terrible Pets
First things first: it’s virtually impossible to ethically obtain olms. These are protected animals, and owning one would be illegal. Unlike axolotls, which can be bred several times a year, olms only reproduce once every 12-and-a-half years. The eggs themselves also need very specific temperatures to develop and hatch into healthy olms. Little is known about olms’ reproductive habits, as they’ve only been observed reproducing and guarding eggs while being studied.
Olms would also make poor pets because natural light is their enemy. They have such sensitive skin that natural light could burn them and lead to serious injuries. And good luck finding an exotic vet who treats olms! While olms are fascinating creatures, they’re best observed in zoos where they have around-the-clock care and habitats created around their needs.
Olms Have Adapted Specifically for Cave Life
Axolotls are generally easy to care for. A 20-gallon tank, solid filtration system, and water chiller are essential to helping these fluffy-gilled cuties thrive. While axolotls are critically endangered (with less than 1,000 remaining in the wild), an estimated one million are kept worldwide as pets.
The same cannot be said for olms regarding pet ownership. Olms have specifically evolved and adapted to living in the cave systems on the Adriatic Sea’s eastern coastline. These animals:
- Have a snakelike body that allows for slithering through crevices in caves
- Rely on sensors in their head to find food, particularly small crustaceans
- Can slow down their metabolic rate when food is scarce
- Live in cold-water (about 46-52°F)
Here’s another reason why olms wouldn’t make good pets: they can live to 100 years old, living about 58 years on average. Like many tortoises, these beasts could easily outlive their owners!
What Owning an Olm Would Be Like
Okay, so let’s imagine that somehow, you were able to get an ethically bred olm. For starters, the animal alone will likely cost thousands of dollars in brokerage fees, shipping, and handling. Axolotls generally cost anywhere from $30 to $85, with unique-colored specimens fetching higher prices.
Then, of course, there’s the arduous task of recreating an olm’s environment. You’ll need a generously sized aquarium to accommodate one; they can reach a foot-and-a-half long. As noted, the tank’s water must range between 46-52°F. Even a slight increase to 57°F could prove disastrous. Your water chiller would need a backup power source to prevent temperature fluctuations during power outages.
Finally, there’s the issue of water parameters. This refers to the level of nitrates, nitrites, and other chemicals in the water. Unless you’re a very specialized biologist, you likely won’t know what parameters olms need to survive. Depending on where you live, your tap water could have chemicals that could hurt olms, such as fluoride.
Throw in veterinary care, specialized diet, and light intensity into the mix, and you’ve basically got another full-time job on your hands.
How Are Olms Different Than Axolotls?
Olms and axolotls look similar because they’re both aquatic salamanders that retain their juvenile traits (facial gills) after maturation. They also have partial pigmentation loss—although axolotls can also come in black or a grey color. Both dance on the brink of extinction, with many international conservation efforts hoping to increase or stabilize their numbers. But that’s about where the similarities end.
Some key differences include:
- Olms and axolotls are from different parts of the world. Axolotls are from Mexico; olms are from Eastern Europe.
- Axolotls are native to two cold water lakes. Olms live in underground caves.
- Adult axolotls generally eat once every two to three days. They need a protein-rich diet with an occasional waxworm treat. Olms do not eat regularly and can live for 10 years on a single shrimp.
Axolotls are nocturnal animals. At night, they’re often seen exploring their aquariums, hiding under leaf cover, and even frolicking under bubbly water filters. Olms cannot tell night from day underground. What’s more, they’re generally inactive, sometimes only moving a few feet in a single day.
Aquatic Salamanders Similar to Olms
Don’t be dismayed if you were hoping to keep an olm. There are many other aquatic salamanders that you can ethically source and also enjoy as pets. They include:
- Axolotls. Hey, if you can’t get an olm, an axolotl is the next best thing looks-wise. Believe it or not, axolotls are intelligent critters and can count up to three. They don’t have demanding spatial needs, and you don’t have to worry about keeping them in pairs. Axolotls are solitary in both captivity and the wild.
- Chinese fire-bellied newts. These hardy animals make great pets for people new to the world of amphibian pet ownership. It’s easy to recreate their natural habitat, and they offer hours of entertainment as display pieces.
- Tiger salamanders. In their juvenile phase, tiger salamanders look like axolotls. Yet, as they mature, they lose their gills and live primarily on land. Getting a tiger salamander offers the joy of watching your pet evolve and grow.
Olms are incredible creatures that have spent millions of years adapting to a very specialized environment. They’re best observed in their natural home rather than confined in fish tanks.
