| 5. What
kinds of living things actually live in
Wyandotte Caves? Bob:
Bats of
course! Also, many sorts of insects live
there. And, in some caves with permanent
water flow, you can find blind white
catfish!
6. What
living things visit the cave and why?
Bob:
Snakes are
common visitors. They eat bats by
catching them near the entrances when
bats leave or enter the cave.
Raccoons
also visit and like to eat bats. They
will surprisingly travel in the dark for
long distances in the caves seeking a bat
meal. Dormant bats in winter can be an
easy catch.
Raccoons are one reason bats hang from
the ceiling of caves in the middle of the
cavern. Bats avoid hanging too close to
walls and edges where predators could
reach them.
Wood rats
visit and live in caves also. They are an
endangered species that live in the caves
and on the cliffs of our state park.
7. How many
kinds of bats are in Wyandotte Caves
during the winter?
Bob:
Jarrett
Manek, our property manager, can answer
that one for you. (we hope
to interview him soon)
8. What are
some of the problems you have come across
while you have been property manager at
Wyandotte Caves?
Bob:
Vandals are
always a problem. I will never understand
people who destroy beautiful things and
think it is fun. Unfortunately there are
people in this world who do just that.
They destroy for the simple act of
wrecking something beautiful. A cave
formation may take thousands of years to
form, and it only takes one inconsiderate
moment to destroy it. We don't like
vandals!
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