Discover an underground world lled with little-known species that are slowly coming to light, thanks to the work of cave divers and scientists.
Stanislav, our guide to Postojna Cave, reassures us: “I'll only turn the lights off for a minute or so.” Still, it’s a shock when we are plunged into pitch-black. My eyes strain to pick up even the faintest hint of light, but there is none. We were warned it might be a bit overwhelming, and I’m starting to feel a little disorientated. The only thing I can hear is the quiet breathing of those with me, and the only thing I can feel is the cool metal rail that I’m gripping to steady myself.
I feel completely inadequate in terms of being adapted for the dark, and it’s bizarre to think that anything could live in this kind of environment, but Stanislav assures me that there are over 100 species found in this cave system, including a ‘dragon’.
Postojna Cave is world-famous and is located in Slovenian’s karst region – a limestone plateau that stretches from southwest Slovenia to northeast Italy. The cave was carved by the Pivka River across millions of years, and many parts of the cave system are still flooded. Graffiti dating to 1213 shows that the caves have been used by humans for centuries. The system is over 24km long, with at least four caves, connected by the river, and home to a variety of breathtaking rock formations, and to the secretive ‘dragons’.
But forget about any images you might have of fire-breathing beasts. The ‘dragons’ in question are actually olms, cave-dwelling salamanders, which have been surrounded by mystery for centuries. Local people often saw the olms after heavy rains washed them from the caves, and believed they were the offspring of 'cave dragons'. With the olm's sinuous body and external gills, it’s not too difficult to understand this particular case of mistaken identity.
Adapting to the dark
Esta historia es de la edición December 2018 de BBC Wildlife.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2018 de BBC Wildlife.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Flightless birds
Our pick of 10 curious birds that have lost the ability to fly
ALL YOU EVER NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE Shoebill
THIS PREHISTORIC-LOOKING BIRD IS affectionately known by some as 'king of the marshes' as it is huge (up to 1.5m tall with a 2.4m wingspan) and resides in the freshwater marshes and swamps of East Africa.
Slime: protector, lubricant and glue
GOO, GUNGE, GUNK... WHILE THERE are many names for the stuff that makes things slippery or sticky, slime isn't a single material but a label for a variety of substances with similar physical properties. Those qualities are desirable to many living things, which is why slime is made by such a wide range of organisms.
How do parrots learn to swear?
THERE ARE FEW THINGS AS GLORIOUSLY entertaining as the effing and blinding of a potty-mouthed parrot.
Why are walruses so chubby?
AS A GENERAL RULE, TERRESTRIAL mammals are furry, while aquatic ones are fat. It doesn't work across the board: sea otters rarely leave the water but have the densest fur of any mammal.
What is the lotus effect?
WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF WATCHING the clock on the wall of a dentist's waiting room, you can always pass a bit of time with a rummage through the bowl of fragrant botanical wonders next to the leaflets about expensive cosmetic work.
Are there any plants in Antarctica?
CONTINENTS DON'T COME ANY MORE inhospitable than Antarctica, where life must contend with the longest, darkest, coldest winters and a year-round blanket of snow and ice.
LANDLORD OF THE WILD
The humble aardvark is seldom praised for its work digging out homes for other animals
CRACK DOWN
As the new Amazon drama Poacher hits our screens, we take a look at the fight to end ivory poaching in India
Wild words
Spending time observing and writing about the natural world can be transformational