Tongass National Forest
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Cave Life
As you move through the cave, the passage narrows and then gradually
widens in an area where bats roost. Explorers have observed two species
of bats in the cave- the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)
and the California bat (Myotis californicus). 
The little brown
bat the most common. Bats roost in caves that meet particular requirements,
such as the right cave structure, good air circulation, appropriate temperatures
and humidity, and proximity to feeding areas.
El Capitan Cave is important as a temporary hibernaculum during the coldest portions of the winter. When temperatures outside the cave increase, even with snow still on the ground, most bats leave the cave. The bats use the passages with the right environment to go into torpor, a state of being dormant or inactive during cold temperatures.
Just
beyond bats' roost, lies an otter den. Researchers found river otter
bones and fish bones in this area. We believe that the otter would
use a scent trail to find its way through the cave. This hole would be
a secure den site - safe from predators and weather. Occasionally, otter
tracks are seen in the dirt on the cave floor and fur is seen on the
lowest bars of the gate,indicating that this den is still in use.
Bats, bears, and otters are only some of the creatures that use caves. These animals are trogloxenes. Trogloxenes are creatures that use the cave for a specific purpose or on a sporadic basis. They do not exhibit any cave-related adaptations.
The next group of cave animals are the troglophiles.
Troglophiles are cave lovers, who have a strong affinity for the dark,
moist and cool conditions of cave interiors. Sometimes troglophiles,
such as the spider, shown at right, exhibit adaptations in anatomy, physiology,
or behavior. They can also be found in other dark places, such as under
rocks and inside logs.
The last group of cave dwellers are the troglobites. These animals spend their entire life cycles in the dark zones of caves and show a variety of adaptations to interior cave conditions. They have various degrees of eyelessness and colorlessness. Many are on the microscopic level. In El Capitan Cave, there are many small pools, that are home to tiny mites and collembola that live in small floating colonies. Their only source of food is carried in from the water and surface detritus dripping from the roof.
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USDA Forest Service - Tongass National Forest Accessibility Statement
Last Modified: July 11, 2007