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Flora and Fauna
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| CAVE FAUNA |
The cave food chain is supported by guano (bat deposits), algae and decomposing tree roots. These attract invertebrates such as dung beetles, beetle larvae, cockroaches, moths, centipedes, millipedes and small spiders. These in turn feed larger spiders, frogs and cane toads.
When the bats are present, large green tree frogs and snakes (spotted pythons) can be found near the cave entrances. Other animals seen on the surface karst, include bush turkeys, possums, kangaroos, echidnas and rock wallabies. In the daytime, owls can also be seen in cave entrances.
For more detailed information about fauna please click here |
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| CAVE BATS |
The Capricorn Caves are home to five species of bats. Their presence is seasonal and can be related to temperatures above 20°C and heavier rainfall. Their emergent flight at dusk is an incredible spectacle with the added excitement of watching their natural predators - snakes and frogs, trying to catch the bats as they emerge in their thousands. Bats are the only mammal capable of sustained flight.
In Australia, bats are from two groups; microchiroptera (insect eating bats) and megachiroptera (fruit bats or flying foxes). Chiroptera means hand wing, referring to the skeleton of the wing which resembles that of a human hand.
Click here for more information about bats found at Capricorn Caves |
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| CAVE FLORA |
Moss, algae and lichens are common around cave entrances and act as a food source for some cave animals. Amazing fig tree roots pentrate through the limestone cracks to reach the underground water table.
The entrances also provide a protected habitat for ferns and orchids and a surface for vines to grow. Tectaria devexa is a rare fern found only on mainland Australia in the main entrance of Capricorn Caves . Surrounding the cave system is dry rainforest vegetation which provides a rich source of insects for the cave bats.
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Rock wallaby |
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Echidna |
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Little Bent-wing Bats |
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Ghost Bat |
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Tectaria devexa fern |
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