Postojna Cave, home to more than 150 animal species

Postojna Cave has one of the most diverse underground cave systems in the world open to the public. It is the cradle of a special branch of biology – speleobiology. This new science was born in the year 1831, when the slendernecked beetle (Leptodirus hochenwarti) was found in Postojna Cave by Luka Čeč, a Postojna local who also discovered the cave in 1818, calling it Heaven. Not long after, explorers discovered and made an inventory of new animal species adapted to the conditions inside the cave to such an extent that they are unable to survive outside it.

One of the most famous underground animals is the endemic olm, Proteus anguinus, which has gained in popularity in recent months due to a rare phenomenon. In January, a female olm laid an egg in the vivarium and over 50 more miraculously followed. You can follow the development of the eggs in the Olm Diary. Have a closer look at the development of the eggs in the video "Baby Dragon" embryos’ movement.

According to explorers` estimates, Postojna Cave is home to more than 150 animal species. Get to know some of the most interesting in the Proteus Vivarium. The learning exhibition is located inside the Passage of New Signatures, 50 metres from the entrance to Postojna Cave. The speleobiological exhibition introduces visitors to karstology and speleobiology in an appealing way. It presents the special features of the environment and the most typical representatives of Slovenian cave-dwelling animals.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Postojna Cave!

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