Trogloxenes: the Part-time Cave Residents

There are various types of animal cave dwellers. That depends on how much time they spend inside the cave. Of those non-fully cave dependent, trogloxenes are included.

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Trogloxenes are the class of subterranean animal dwellers that are commonly known and seen by cavers. Mostly known, these dwellers makes use of the caves at night. Other animals use it for maternity roosting or during harsh weathers such as winter and heavy rains. However, they still need to go out of the cave to foray for food [1] unlike troglobites who stay their whole lives inside the cave.

Of the trogloxenes, the bats are the most commonly known. In other countries, bears use it to hibernate during winter time. Some birds, reptiles and insects are also trogloxenes. Humans might not be considered trogloxenes today, but thousands of years ago many humans used caves as a regular place of shelter [2].

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In summary, trogloxenes are cave dwellers makes use of the caves at night, maternity roosting or during harsh weathers such as winter and heavy rains. However, they still need to go out of the cave to foray for food. To protect them and their environment, make sure to follow the leave-no-trace principles inside the cave.

References:

[1] National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior, n.d. Great Basin: Cave Life. [online] Nps.gov. Available at: <https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/upload/Cave%20Life.pdf> [Accessed 24 June 2020].

[2] King, H., n.d. Troglobites: Animals That Live In A Cave. [online] Geology.com. Available at: <https://geology.com/stories/13/troglobites/> [Accessed 24 June 2020].

[3] Oregon Caves NPS, 2012. File:Cave Cricket – Oregon Caves.Jpg – Wikimedia Commons. [online] Commons.wikimedia.org. Available at: <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cave_Cricket_-_Oregon_Caves.jpg> [Accessed 24 June 2020].

[4] Kirillov, P., 2012. File:Rat Snake (Elaphe Flavirufa) (7789305226).Jpg – Wikimedia Commons. [online] Commons.wikimedia.org. Available at: <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rat_snake_(Elaphe_flavirufa)_(7789305226).jpg> [Accessed 24 June 2020].