Discovering 'young dragon' in a lake deeper than 100m underground

Vampires, also known as "young dragons", can hide at depths of more than 100 meters below dark lakes in limestone caves.

A group of divers and biologists found goosebumps at a depth of 113 under a lake in Croatia."This is the strong-headed child discovered in the deepest place ever," New Scientist quoted Petra Kovač-Konrad, the leader of the research team, on June 22.

The snake has the scientific name Proteus anguinus , dubbed the "fish person" by pale pink skin or "young dragon" called by locals. They are known for their slow lifestyles and long lifespans. This blind animal can live up to a century.

The goose is also called "young dragon" in the way of the local people.(Photo: Petra Kovač-Konrad).

Scientists know very little about thunderstorms. They are racing against time in rare and precious species conservation because their underground habitats are being polluted by human activity. They are difficult to observe in natural habitats, except through complex and dangerous diving techniques.

Croatian cave dancers and international colleagues found five new habitats of goosegrass over the past 6 years under the Hyla organization project.Zagorska pec cave lake , where the group of divers caught creatures at a record depth, attracted special attention by several specimens that had appeared there.

"We found specimens at different depths in the lake, helping confirm the hypothesis that water depth is not a factor affecting goosebumps. We also found that goose prefers some special areas. belonging to the cave system with little pressure, such as slow flowing water or large sediments " , Kovač-Konrad said.

Recent findings about the potential new habitat of goosebones are based on DNA taken from cave water where animals once appeared. Conservationists also attempt to breed vigorously in captivity. Most observations of their behavior mainly take place in underground laboratories such as the Postojna or Tular facility in Slovenia.

The larvae hatch from the eggs of the mother's goose.(Video: YouTube).

"Goose research at a greater depth is of great significance, especially when taken by conservation diver," said biologist Gregor Aljančič, head of the Tular cave laboratory. share.

To conserve animals, information about their geographic distribution is more important than knowing the depth to which they can live."In some caves in the distribution area of ​​the goose, you will only see one while in many other places, you will encounter 200 of them during the dive. In some places there is not any but we are not sure why , " said Balázs.

Balázs's group is trying to install infrared cameras in caves to record the activities of thunderstorms.