Slovenia and the search for Proteus anguinus

[Steve Devis]

Nice photo's.
Verry interesting !
But Proteus anguinus in a garden shed?

[Laura Bok]

Yes, Proteus in a garden shed! Actually, it's P.a.parkelj, and the garden shed has just been built over a hole in the ground, which opens to a subterranean stream. You can observe them there even at daytime. On one of my photos you can see Joachim and Sebastian staring down this hole .

[Sean Cole]

Hi all,

I'm new to this site, and am a Herping beginner, so be kind to me.....I may ask many stupid questions. But if you have reciprocal questions on anything that flies or grows I can probably help.

As for the Proteus, I have been twice to Slovenia to see them, and if anyone needs any advice on Hotels, contact details for the Black proteus, etc, I would be happy to help if you contact me off the group.

Sean Cole, England

[Peter Oefinger]

Sean, nice to meet you here! It's good to have an orchid expert in this forum...

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

Super stuff! Gotta love Slovenia. That second green lizard is indeed very interesting and stunning.

[Rok Grzelj]

As a indigenous person Im ashamed that I havent visited yet the "human fish" spots

[GertJan Verspui]

Hi Lauren, nice photos, love those strange white monsters.....but did you put some extra paint on those Lacertas....


Rok, love your photos toooooo!!

[Jeroen Speybroeck]

Allow me to split some hairs here (as you all know I am pathologically good at), by indicating that the subspecies parkelj has been devalidated on the basis of genetic data by Goricki & Trontelj (2006 - Gene 378: 31-41). Weird but true... Apparently, the pigmentation and eye stuff are rather due to phenotypic plasticity.

[Sandra Panienka]

Great trip report, I love the pics of the mudpuppies, it is such a weird species and great to look at. The underwater newt shots are very cool, too. What's up with that first green lizard? That's an amazingly beautiful little thing.

[Michal Szkudlarek]

Interesting Jeroen, I remember that some scientists were considering it to be distinct species.