洞螈(Proteus anguinus)——斯洛文尼亚自然遗产的象征。是洞螈属下的唯一一个种，此外，它是欧洲唯一属于洞螈科的生物，也是欧洲唯一一种穴居的脊索动物。最值得注意的特征是和其穴居有关：为了适应洞窟里的黑暗生活而作出的种种调整。它的躯干是圆柱状的，粗细大致一致。在各肌节的界线上，有间隔一致的皱纹将躯干分成几段。它的尾部相对来说较短，较为扁平，且被一片薄薄的鳍包围；四肢纤细，前肢三指，后肢二指；用鳃和肺呼吸。
此外，洞螈的皮肤中缺少色素，全体除了终生存在的三对外鳃为鲜红色外，其他部分均为白色(如在日光下饲养数月，眼和皮肤初为灰白色，后均变为黑色)。除了繁殖期外，洞螈一生中的其他时期也完全在水中度过，这点与其他两栖类相当不同。这可能与它幼体的特征有关，例如它的幼体的鳃外露，且一直留存到成年。
(关于它还有一些有趣的文化故事)在波斯托伊纳岩洞的观光路线中还包括了一趟探访洞螈展示馆的行程，那里有洞窟生态系统各层面的展示。洞螈也是斯洛文尼亚托拉（斯洛文尼亚改用欧元前的旧货币）上的图案。此外，它也恰巧与斯洛文尼亚最早的科学杂志之一同名，该杂志于1933年首次出版。
图源alamy.com，wikipedia 萌物泉志 济南·山东师范大学千佛山校区

Proteus anguinus is the symbol of Slovenia’s natural heritage. It is the only species belonging to the genus Cavitae. In addition, it is the only organism belonging to the family Cavitae in Europe and the only cave-dwelling chordate in Europe. The most notable feature is related to its cave dwelling: various adjustments made to adapt to the dark life in the cave. Its trunk is cylindrical, roughly the same thickness. At the boundaries of the sarcomeres, there are uniformly spaced wrinkles that divide the trunk into segments. Its tail is relatively short, flat and surrounded by a thin fin; its limbs are slender, with three forelimbs and two hind limbs; it breathes with gills and lungs.
In addition, the skin of the cavern salamander lacks pigmentation, and all except the three external gills that live for life are bright red, the other parts are white (for example, after several months in the sun, the eyes and skin turn gray at first, then black). In addition to the breeding season, the other stages of the life of the cave salamander are also completely underwater, which is quite different from other amphibians. This may be related to the characteristics of its larvae, such as the gill exposure of its larvae, which remains until adulthood.
(There are also some interesting cultural stories about it.) A tour of the Cave in Postoina also included a visit to the Cave Exhibition Hall, where various layers of the cave ecosystem were displayed. The cave salamander is also a pattern on the Tora of Slovenia, the old currency before Slovenia changed to the euro. It also coincides with one of Slovenia’s earliest scientific journals, which was first published in 1933.
Map Source: alamy.com, WikipediaMeng Shiquan Zhi Jinan·Shandong Normal University Qianfoshan Campus