The first 'baby dragon' from a batch of more than 60 eggs has hatched in the Postojnska caves in Slovenia. Experts have been closely monitoring the ancient olms - a type of rare cave salamander - in an aquarium since the eggs were laid four months ago. Biologists have managed to snap a fleeting glance of the animal in silhouette (pictured)

The first ‘baby dragon’ from a batch of more than 60 eggs has hatched in the Postojnska caves in Slovenia. Experts have been closely monitoring the ancient olms – a type of rare cave salamander – in an aquarium since the eggs were laid four months ago. Biologists have managed to snap a fleeting glance of the animal in silhouette (pictured)

baby dragons are hatching

Dragon Eggs are hatching at a cave in Slovenia.

A rare bread of salamander which is blind, is known as the olm or proteus, only reproduces every 5 to 10 years, and is thought to live to 100, according to the BBC.

Olms, which are called “baby dragons” by locals, typically grow to between 8 and 12 inches.

“We got our first Baby dragon!” the Postojna Cave posted on Facebook Wednesday.

The BBC reports that another baby olm was making its way out of its egg Wednesday. There are another 21 developed eggs in an aquarium at the Postojna Cave, which is a popular tourist attraction.

The olm or proteus (pictured) is a blind ancient salamander living in the Postojnska caves in Slovenia. The rare animals may only reproduce as little as once a decade - making any hathcling a rare event

The olm or proteus (pictured) is a blind ancient salamander living in the Postojnska caves in Slovenia. The rare animals may only reproduce as little as once a decade – making any hathcling a rare event

 As reported by FOX, two years ago, a Postojna olm also laid eggs, but they fell prey to other cave inhabitants. So, this time biologists isolated the female and her eggs in a dark spot, added extra oxygen and removed any outside influences.”This is something truly extraordinary,” said biologist Saso Weldt, who works at the cave in northwestern Slovenia. “Nobody has ever witnessed (their) reproduction in nature. We even haven’t seen an animal younger than two years.”

According to biologists Saso Wedt and Primoz Gnezda, the creatures can smell whether the eggs are still alive or not. As food is so scarce in the subterranean environment any eggs become an easy food source.

A record number of visitors in February have been allowed nowhere near the mother and her eggs — tourists could only view a live video screening via special infrared cameras that were installed near the aquarium.

Slovenians, some of whom are contemplating declaring the olm the next “Slovenian of the Year,” have been keeping their fingers crossed.

“We did all that is in our power,” biologist Weldt said. “Now we wait.”

In a blog post in March the team wrote: ‘Unfortunately, an interest in eggs has not been shown only by the day visitors to the cave, but also by other cave inhabitants – cave amphipods, small crustaceans, which see olm eggs as one of the most special treats, so they persistently try getting hold of them.

‘This has brought out the olm’s incredible, almost supernatural abilities and a moving maternal instinct.

a water temperature of 11˚C (51.8˚F) the development process is expected to take 120 days. But in the cave’s cooler 9˚C (48.2˚F) waters, it is expected to take a little longer.

While the first arrival is a good sign, it may be a while before any more baby dragons emerge.