Olm
/oʊlm/noun
A blind European cave salamander with pale skin and external gills.
Did you know?The olm’s scientific name, *Proteus anguinus*, reflects its shape-shifting, snake-like appearance and was inspired by Proteus, the Greek sea god famous for changing form.
Etymological Timeline
18th Century
Latinized scientific
Proteus anguinus
“The scientific name meaning 'Proteus the snake-like one,' referring to its changing, eel-like body form.”
18th Century
Slovene/Regional
močeril
“Local South Slavic name for the cave-dwelling salamander.”
19th Century
English
olm
“Adopted from a regional name for the blind cave salamander.”
Modern English
English
olm
“The standard English common name for the blind cave salamander.”
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