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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.