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05-01-2010, 09:03 PM
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| So Fucking Banned Poster Rank:2934 female Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 135 Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Quoted: 0 Post(s)
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Proteus or Human Fish
The olm, or proteus (Proteus anguinus), is a blind amphibian endemic to the subterranean waters of caves of the Dinaric karst of southern Europe.It is also occasionally called the "human fish" by locals because of its skin color, similar to that of white people. This animal is most notable for its adaptations to a life of complete darkness in its underground habitat. The olm's eyes are undeveloped, leaving it blind, while its other senses, particularly those of smell and hearing, are acutely developed. It also lacks any pigmentation in its skin. In contrast to most amphibians, the olm is entirely aquatic, and it eats, sleeps, and breeds underwater. It's body is covered by a thin layer of skin, which contains very little of the pigment riboflavin,making it yellowish-white or pink in color.The internal organs can be seen shining through on the abdominal part of the body. The resemblance in color to that of white humans is the reason why the Proteus is called human fish in some languages. However, the olm's skin retains the ability to produce melanin. When exposed to light, it will gradually turn dark. The olm breathes with external gills that form two branched tufts at the back of the head.They are red in color because the oxygen-rich blood shows through the non-pigmented skin. |