Vivarium

Postojna Cave is inhabited by over 150 animal species. You can meet some of the most interesting ones up close – the undisputed star among them is the olm.

Tour Times Tickets
PJ 2018 vivarij parallax 2

For Researchers and Visitors

The Vivarium is located in the Passage of New Signatures, fifty metres from the entrance to Postojna Cave. It consists of two parts. The research part, the so-called laboratory, is used for scientific work and research. The speleobiological exhibition housed in the Vivarium's exhibition section presents the basic concepts of karstology and speleobiology, special features of the subterranean environment and the most typical representatives of our cave animals.

The Mysterious Creatures of the Underground World

The Olm (Proteus anguinus)

With its length of 25 to 30 centimetres, the olm is the largest among cave-dwelling animals and the only vertebrate in Europe strictly bound to cave habitats. It is completely adapted to life in the dark. It feeds on crustaceans, worms, snails and other aquatic invertebrates. It has a lifespan of up to one hundred years and can go without food for several years. In 2016, one of Postojna Cave's olms laid eggs, which hatched some time later, capturing the attention of people all around the world.

The Slenderneck Beetle (Leptodirus hochenwartii)

In September 1831, thirteen years after the great discovery of the most beautiful parts of Postojna Cave, Luka Čeč made another amazing discovery. On one of the stalactites below the Great Mountain, he found a small brown beetle, which was, on account of the interesting shape of its body, named the slenderneck beetle. The beetle has a large abdomen, a tiny neck and thin legs. The discovery of the slenderneck beetle refuted the mistaken belief that there was no life in caves. A new science was born – biospeleology.

PJ 2018 Proteusova jama galerija 3
PJ 2018 Proteusova jama galerija 4
PJ 2018 Proteusova jama galerija 5
PJ 2018 Proteusova jama galerija 6
PJ 2018 Proteusova jama galerija 7
PJ 2018 Proteusova jama galerija 2
PJ 2018 Proteusova jama galerija 8

Visit the Vivarium

The Vivarium's opening times depend on the Postojna Cave tour timetable. The tour is not guided, so you can take as much time as you like and see the exhibition at your own pace.

Everything there is to know about your visit is explained in the Important Information section.

an experience for the whole family

year-round in all weathers

meet the baby dragons

wheelchair access