Cave Life
A Unique Sanctuary
Caves are unique havens for both permanent residents as well as those, including humans, who tend to visit on a more transitory basis. At Cave of the Winds, we have very specific residents and visitors, described below.
The World of Extremophiles!
Living in a cave full-time could be described as a bit extreme—which is why some cave-dwelling organisms have been named extremophiles. Makes sense! These microbe organisms are usually unicellular, although some are more complex. Extremophiles are important to earth science because they hold many clues to early life.
Troglobites, Troglophiles, & Trogloxenes
The strange names of cave dwellers doesn’t stop with extremophiles… consider troglobites, troglophiles, and trogloxenes.
Troglobite is the name for any cave-dwelling organism that spends its entire life underground. They are specially adapted to living in darkness—some have no skin pigment and are blind. Troglobites, including fish, salamanders, crayfish, insects, and spiders, cannot exist outside of a cave, and their existence is threatened if the cave environment is damaged or altered. For instance, a troglobite might be threatened with any of the following: change in air pattern or temperature, water pollution, visitors trampling or damaging the cave interior, trash, and flood.
Troglophiles are cave creatures that live in the dim, twilight zone of the cave—not quite all in darkness, but not out in the full light, either, except to hunt for food. Troglophiles include bats, rats, cave crickets, salamanders, and earthworms.
Trogloxenes are animals that take shelter and make a home in a cave, near the entrance where there is abundant light. They go to the outside world to feed. Trogloxenes do not have any special adaptations to the cave environment and include bears, skunks, packrats, snakes, raccoons, foxes, swallows, moths, and bats.
Speaking of Bats…
Bats are special friends to Cave of the Winds
Colorado is home to over 15 species of bats and, at one time or another, most can be spotted in our surrounding areas. In fact, of the 46 bat species in the United States, fully 2/3 use a cave or cave-like structure at some point in their life. Some bats use caves to give birth and to rear their young in the summer. In winter some bats hibernate while others migrate. Disturbing bats in their preferred environment causes them to leave, sometimes for less protected environments, which contributes to the current decline of bat populations worldwide.
Bats tend to be very misunderstood. They do not attack people, nor get caught in their hair, nor are bats blind. Bats contribute to a healthy ecosystem worldwide as they help keep insects under control, pollinate plants, and are responsible for most new seed dispersals in the rain forests.
Most bats in the western United States feed almost exclusively on insects—in fact, bats are the only major predator of night flying insects. Bats typically eat more than 50% of their body weight in insects each night.
Bats are gentle, intelligent mammals, and stories of bats as carriers of rabies and other diseases are greatly exaggerated. Fewer than 40 people in the United States are known to have contracted rabies from bats during the past 40 years. Far more people are killed by dog attacks, bee stings, or lightening strikes than rabies from bats.
Cave of the Winds is proud to promote the benefits of bats and is a supporter of Bat Conservation International. We encourage people to attract bats by placing bat houses in their yards to take advantage of their insect-eating habits.
 Our most common bats at Cave of the Winds include:
• Little Brown Bat, or myotis lucifugus, which means mouse-eyed and fleeing light. This is a fairly common bat. The Little Brown Bat only weighs 7—14 grams; has a wingspan of 22—27 centimeters; eats gnats, beetles, wasps, and moths; and lives 20 or more years.
• Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat, or corynorhinus towsendii, which means club-nosed. The Townsend is fairly rare, so we’re honored to have him at Cave of the Winds. This bat is a bit heavier at 20—25 grams; is larger with a wingspan of 30—32 centimeters; eats only moths (we think); and usually lives 16 or more years.
• Big Brown Bat, or eptesicus fuscus, which means flying brown. The Big Brown weighs about 14—21 grams; has a wide wingspan of 32—39 centimeters; eats beetles, ants, flies, mosquitoes, mayflies, and other insects; and tends to live 16 or more years.
Click here to visit Bat Conservation International
The Inside Scoop on Insects
Insects are common at Cave of the Winds, although they can be hard to spot. Our most famous insect is called the hyperchills benetti. It weaves its web into a shape similar to lampshades (hence its more common name, the Lampshade Spider). One of the most interesting things about them is that they have two sets of book lungs that allow them to breathe in oxygen-deprived environments—perfect for caves.
Tiny Ringtail
The petite ringtail is a favorite at Cave of the Winds, although it is nocturnal and good at hiding, so we are honored with sightings only so often. The ringtail, or basarscus astutus, is a small, slender animal with a small head with a pointed muzzle, large eyes encircled by white fur, and large ears. It is yellowish-gray above and whitish below, and has a long, bushy tail with black and white bands (thus the ‘ring tail’) that ends in a black tip. The ringtail is a skilled climber, which is a great aid in the cave.
The ringtail eats a varied diet of small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs, insects, snakes, cactus fruits, and other plants. The ringtails communicate with a bark, scream, snarl, whistle, and chitter, although when under stress, they will give an undulating howl. Young ringtails squeak.
The Rest of the Menagerie
A host of other native animals use caves when needed. When caving in our area, it’s possible to see large and small birds, including swallows, falcons, hawks, and an occasional eagle. Enjoy the regal flight of these animals, but do not disturb the birds or their nests.
It’s also possible to run into mammals of all sizes—from mice to deer to mountain lions to bears. If you see wildlife, it’s always best to keep your distance. For mountain lions, the rule is to make yourself bigger: raise your arms, hold up any coat, anything to make yourself threatening and impressive. For bears, use the opposite rule: make yourself small and non-threatening. Avoid eye contact with the bear, as this is seen as a challenge. These large animals tend to keep their distance, so more than likely, your visit to our beautiful Rocky Mountain front range will be safe and awe-inspiring.
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