11 Animals That Live in Caves

A cave-dwelling fish has been swimming the waters of India unknowingly. But researchers have just discovered the mysterious fish, which they named Schistura densiclava, in Meghalaya’s Krem Mawjymbuin cave. Notably, the recently discovered species has retained its eyesight, despite comparable species losing their vision after generations of living in zero-light environments. It’s incredible that this unique fish has gone undetected for so long, but we should remember that Meghalaya’s contains some of the planet’s most complex cave systems. 

To fathom living within the pitch-black recesses of caves is difficult for humans, accustomed as we are to our sunglass wearing, sunscreen applying lifestyles. However, many animals have adapted to living in caves. These adaptations allow them to survive in dark, wet, and cold environments. This article will explore fascinating and unique animals that call caves home.

Types of Cave Animals

Cave animals are divided into three categories depending on how much time they spend inside the cave.

Trogloxenes: The name “trogloxenes” is derived from the Greek words “troglos,” meaning cave, and “xenos,” meaning “guest.” These animals are occasional visitors to caves and never spend their entire life cycle inside the cave. Most trogloxenes aren’t adapted to living in caves but occasionally look for food or seek shelter there.

Troglophiles: These organisms are cave lovers! While they primarily live in caves, troglophiles often explore the outside environment. They have adapted to the dark, isolated conditions of caves and can thrive in them. Some troglophiles have poor visual abilities or partial pigmentation, meaning if they remain in the caves for an extended period, they can become troglobites, which we’ll discuss next.

Troglobites: Troglobites are unique creatures with special adaptations for surviving in caves only. They are true cave dwellers who spend their entire lives in the dark, underground environment. Most troglobites are blind, and their skin lacks pigment, giving them a whitish or pinkish appearance. To compensate for the lost or reduced functions, they have elongated antennae, long legs, and enhanced sense organs that help them find food.

1. Kaua’i Cave Wolf Spider (Adelocosa anops)

The Kaua’i cave wolf spider, also known as the “blind spider,” was discovered in 1973 in a lava flow on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is an obligate troglobite living in large cave passages and tiny cracks that aren’t accessible to humans. In contrast to its surface-dwelling relatives with large eyes, this species has completely lost its eyes. Unlike other spiders that build webs to catch prey, the Kaua’i cave wolf spider relies on vibrations and chemical signals to detect prey. This spider is an opportunistic feeder, with its favorite prey being the Kaua’i cave amphipod, an endemic species found only in the caves of Kauai.

2. Olm (Proteus anguinus)

This cave-dwelling amphibian is known as the ‘human fish’ because of its pale, pinkish skin. It inhabits the karst caves of Central and Southeastern Europe. When the olm was first discovered, people believed it was a baby dragon because of its small snake-like body and dark, aquatic cave habitat. The olm is a highly adapted species with an array of super-senses. It can sense electric fields and has a heightened sense of smell and hearing. Since it is completely blind, the olm relies heavily on these senses to survive. Its favorite prey includes insects, snails, and crabs. Population fragmentation and habitat degradation are major threats to olms. 

3. Tooth Cave Pseudoscorpion (Tartarocreagris texana)

This eyeless, unpigmented pseudoscorpion falls under the category of troglobite. It is a scorpion-like arachnid belonging to the family Neobisiidae. Measuring only about 0.15 inches long, the Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion has sensory hairs that make up for poor eyesight. They allow navigation and hunting in absolute darkness. The Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion lacks a tail and stingers. However, it uses its tiny pincers to target small insects and arthropods within its range. 

4. European Cave Spider (Meta menardi)

This species is naturally found in a large area, stretching from Europe to Korea and from Scandinavia to North Africa. It is representative of troglophiles, as it can adapt to darkness and survive outside, too. European cave spiders emerge from the caves and mines around dusk to hunt for small invertebrates such as myriapods and slugs. These spiders are notable for their attraction to areas bats frequently visit. Adult European cave spiders are photophobic, meaning they are intolerant to light, while their young ones are drawn to it. 

5. Cave Beetle (Leptodirus hochenwartii )

Another cave critter adapted to life in total darkness is the cave beetle. This creature is a true troglobite that cannot survive outside its cave. Its life is entirely subterranean, thriving in cold caves where the temperature doesn’t exceed 54 °F. It feeds on organic material that enters the cave through animal droppings or water percolation. Like other troglobitic animals, the cave beetle has adaptations such as elongated legs and antennae. It lacks wings, skin pigmentation, and functional eyes.

6. Swiftlet (Collocaliini)

The term “swiftlet” refers to any of the numerous cave-dwelling birds belonging to the Hydrochous, Aerodramus, Collocalia, and Schoutedenapus genera in the Collocaliini tribe. Around 40 species live throughout southeastern Asia’s tropical and subtropical regions, the South Pacific islands, and northeastern Australia. Unlike other swifts, these birds fly slowly and lower to the ground. Swiftlets are distinguishable from many swift species by their ability to navigate through narrow spaces, which serve as nesting sites. Another notable feature is that some swiftlet species possess echolocation abilities, which they use to navigate the caves and find their nests (which are often made up of saliva).

7. Luray Caverns Blind Cave Millipede (Trichopetalum white)

This species is a rare troglobitic invertebrate belonging to the Trichopetalum genus. It was first discovered in the Luray Caverns, and it now inhabits caves along the upper Potomac River drainage in West Virginia and Virginia. Like other troglobites, this millipede lacks eyes and is unpigmented. Adaptations such as elongated segmental setae allow it to thrive in the dark environment of caves. It is omnivorous and uses its mouthparts to scrap and pick up food material from the cave floor. Not much is known about this millipede, but it is considered globally vulnerable.

8. Benton County Cave Crayfish (Cambarus aculabrum)

This tiny, white, cave-dwelling crayfish species is native to the limestone caves in Arkansas, United States. It can be found in pool and stream habitats found in caves. Cave crayfish are typically tiny, measuring up to 1.8 inches long. Several unique adaptations allow them to thrive in extreme, dark environments. These adaptations include the lack of pigment, underdeveloped eyes, and slow, energy-efficient metabolisms. Cave crayfish presumably feed on roots, stems, and leaf fragments they find within their range.

9. Devils Hole Pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis)

Devils Hole pupfish are small, critically endangered fish found only in a water-filled geological formation in Nevada known as Devils Hole . These tiny pupfish earned their name from their playful pup-like behavior. Devils Hole pupfish lack pelvic fins and exhibit low fecundity. They are small, with a maximum length of just 1.2 inches. Devil’s Hole Pupfish have adapted to the extreme conditions of their habitat, where water temperatures can reach 91 degrees Fahrenheit and dissolved oxygen levels are very low. They only live for around a year.

10. Texas Blind Salamander (Eurycea rathbuni)

The Texas blind salamander is another cave-dwelling amphibian on our list. This troglobitic creature is adapted to living in the water-filled caves of the Edwards Aquifer in Texas. Since it lives in total darkness, the salamander has underdeveloped eyes covered by skin, while its skin lacks pigmentation, giving it a translucent white color. It has pinkish external gills protruding from the throat area, which are used to absorb oxygen from the surrounding water. The Texas blind salamander is an active predator sensitive to water pressure changes caused by other animals. This allows it to sense the movements of tiny snails, blind shrimp, and other aquatic invertebrates that make up its diet. An adult Texas salamander can grow up to five inches long.

11. Tumbling Creek Cavesnail (Antrobia culveri)

Besides living in caves, these tiny, white, blind snails are aquatic troglobites or stygobites dwelling on the underside of rocks in the Tumbling Creek area. Although these snails are listed as endangered, they live their whole lives underground and are very sensitive to any changes in the quality or quantity of that water. While little is known about their feeding habits, scientists believe they feed primarily on aquatic microfauna. They are also presumed to rely indirectly on bat guano since they live in areas with large bat guano deposits.