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Maryland
Preserve Guide
John Friend Cave, Garrett County
Caroline Raisler
John Friend Cave is a world that exists without the
light of the sun, and is habitat to unusual and unique
species that have evolved to survive in the permanent darkness.
Because caves are always dark, no green plants can grow, but John
Friend Cave’s ecosystem is populated with unusual invertebrates
and mammals. One such invertebrate is a unique springtail, a
small, primitive, and wingless creature. All animals that live
permanently within the cave have lost their sight and pigment.
They have also acquired behavioral, metabolic, and
A scientist observes the walls of John Friend Cave.
reproductive adaptations that differ markedly from their
surface-dwelling relatives. The cave supports three nationally-rare species of subterranean, aquatic
crustaceans (Stygobromus emarginatus, S. allegheniensis, and
Key Elements
Caecidotea holsingeri). Five species of bats are found in this cave,
including the small footed, eastern pipistrel, and historically the
 Rare aquatic crustaceans
federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis).
 Small footed bat
Unique Geology
 Eastern pipistrel bat
Contact
 Indiana bat
Isolated from weather, natural
The Nature Conservancy of
Maryland/DC
5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20814
P: 301-897-8570
For more information:
www.nature.org/Maryland
disturbances, and sunlight, caves
have evolved their own distinctive
and highly fragile ecosystems. Caves are one of the most
ecologically uncommon habitats on earth. The animals
occupying caves have solved the problem of survival in these
dark, nutrient-poor environments in two ways. Some, including
bats and wood rats, inhabit caves by day but return to the surface
to forage at night. Others, the true troglodites (cave-dwelling
animals), have adapted so completely to the special conditions that they cannot survive outside of
them.
This cave, along with Crabtree Cave Preserve, is a site that includes species of incredible, and
fascinating, rarity. Management strategies at the 33-acre preserve focus on maintaining the cave gate
to prevent injury to permitted visitors and to
protect the animals living in the cave. The
Visiting
importance of maintaining the gate has
 This preserve is not open to the public. It is
increased since the establishment of White Nose
temporarily closed because of concerns about
Syndrome in the cave’s bat population.
transmission of White Nose Syndrome, a
fungal disease that is devastating populations
of bats throughout the area. It is also an
ecologically fragile and potentially dangerous
environment. Thank you for your
understanding and help in protecting this
important part of Maryland’s natural heritage.