Are you ready to spend a few days in southern Illinois? I found this small cave in the “Land of Lincoln,” let’s see what creatures lurk inside.
Cave Salamanders! These exceptionally slender salamanders are usually around 6 inches in length. They are easily identified by their bright ground color. The young of this species is often yellow in color, while the adults are usually a bright orange with black spots randomly covering their body.
These colorful creatures remind me of geckos, the way they can run up the sides of cave walls. When pursued, a Cave Salamander scampers quickly, often waving its tail to distract attention away from its head.
Although it usually occurs in caves, this species also can live in wooded areas, along rocky streams and springs, under rocks on glades during the spring and even in wells and swamps.
Those living in caves live in the twilight zone, the dimly lit area beyond the cave entrance, but also occur far back in areas of permanent darkness.
The Cave Salamander’s diet consists mostly of small insects and other invertebrates. It’s always a thrill to encounter this exceptionally beautiful amphibian.
