Out of sight...
Cave animals are generally inconspicuous small creatures, rarely seen and rarely thought about by the human community. But hidden away in the darkness of caves are amazing animals which have adapted to the underground world of little to no light.
In this pitch-black and low-energy world, cave animals have evolved specialised ways to survive extreme environments. Besides the constant dark, they may have to contend with floods, or extreme dryness, long periods without food, perhaps cold temperatures.
Special survival features may include not having functioning eyes or pigment. Why develop eyes when you cannot see, or colouring when you cannot be seen. Developing either would be a waste of energy and nutrition in an environment where food is limited.
Cave animals have adapted ways to ‘see’ in the dark and often have long antennae or sensory hairs to ‘feel’ their way about the cave and find food.
Out of sight, cave animals are also out of mind for many of us. But they need us to help ensure their survival. Cave animals depend on healthy cave habitat which means unpolluted water flowing into caves, healthy vegetation communities above the caves and visitors to caves not transporting pathogens with them.
We’re glad you’ve found this website to learn more about Australian cave animals. Maybe go and visit a cave soon and get a chance to see some cave animals up close.
Cave animals come in three broad groups
Troglobites are cave animals generally only live in caves and might have special adaptions for underground life.
Troglophiles are animals that can live all or part of their lives in caves but can also complete a life cycle in suitable surface locations.
Trogloxenes are animals that may frequent caves but must return to the surface for at least part of their life and can include animals such as wombats and owls. Think of these as a ‘cave guest’.