The cave-dwelling amphibian that can live up to 100 years is the olm. Scientifically known as Proteus anguinus, it is an aquatic salamander native to underground waters in the Dinaric Alps of Central and Southeastern Europe.
Olms are specialists for life in darkness. Their eyes are undeveloped, their skin is usually pale, and they retain external gills into adulthood instead of undergoing the typical amphibian metamorphosis. They compensate for poor vision with highly developed senses of smell, hearing, and sensitivity to water movement.
Their extreme longevity is an estimate based on demographic research rather than a century-long observation of one animal. Studies have estimated an average adult lifespan of about 68.5 years and a maximum lifespan of more than 100 years. Their slow growth, infrequent reproduction, low activity, and ability to endure long periods without food all fit their energy-poor cave environment.
The olm is sometimes confused with an axolotl because both retain larval features, but they belong to different families and live in different regions.