Let’s Get Wild:  Exploring Lost River Wildlife

 

Lost River Cave & Valley is nestled in the heart of Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Preserving and protecting this natural gem is a full-time job for Friends of the Lost River, Inc.—the non-profit organization dedicated to saving the cave and surrounding area.  As the city expands and more and more man-made structures are erected, local wildlife has little choice but to vacate the urban area or find a safe haven in the confines of Lost River’s 68-acre urban wildlife sanctuary.  The valley and upland areas are home to a wide variety of animal, bird, insect and plant species.  Inside the cave, a unique ecosystem sustains unusual creatures that exist only in karst environments.  Unfortunately, wildlife above and below the Earth’s surface is in constant need of protection from urban pollutants and invasive, pest species.  Visitors to the park have the pleasure of knowing that the money they spend on a ticket to the Underground Boat Tour or on a souvenir at Old Mill Gifts will benefit the preservation of the wildlife habitat, bird sanctuary and cave environs.
















Cave Critters
Far below 31-W Bypass, in the dark depths of Lost River Cave, curious creatures abound!  Visitors commonly see cave crickets and crawfish while exploring the cave on tours, but there are other subterranean species that make only occasional appearances and a few that remain hidden from prying eyes in the deeper passages of the cave system.  The animals that inhabit the caves of Kentucky’s Karstland have evolved in a dark androcky world, carved and crafted by water.  Thetemperature inside is a constant 55-56 degrees Fahrenheit and the absence of natural light leaves most caverns barren of vegetation.  To survive, most animals have developed unique adaptations. 






Bats are the only mammals to have achieved flight and they are the key element to the cave food chain!  They usually call Lost River Cave their home in the winter months, during hibernation.  It is unusual to see the bats on the boat tour during the spring or summer.  Due to their nocturnal nature, bats function well in the darkness of the cave.  However, they are still only “trogloxenes” which means that bats are visitors to the cave.  In order to live, a bat must be able to leave the cave for food and other necessities.  The most common species of bat at Lost River Cave is the Eastern Pipistrelle.  This tiny critter only grows to the size of a human thumb, but can eat hundreds of mosquitoes, moths and other insects every hour in the summer evenings.
 









Basements, root cellars, caves—anywhere cold and dark in a karst area provides a great home for cave crickets (Ceuthophilus gracilipes).   Like bats, these creatures are trogloxenes.  They leave their cave home to collect vegetation in the outside world.  However, cave crickets can not survive in extreme temperatures, so they prefer to retreat to the cool dampness of the cavern to digest their food.  The differences in these crickets and field crickets are quite apparent.  The cave cricket is usually light in color and appears to have a “humped” back.  Its antennae are extremely long to allow it to “feel” its way around the low-light environment of the cave.  When riding on the underground boat tour at Lost River, visitors are often treated to the sight of  these long-limbed insects crawling around on the cave’s walls and ceiling or even skimmingacross the surface of the calm water! 

The cave salamander (Eurycea lucifuga) is one of the most reclusive critters in Lost River Cave.  Their long bodies range in color from red to orange and sport dark spots.  The name “cave” salamander would lead you to believe that they reside only in caves, but this is untrue.  While they do like to hang around caves with flowing rivers and springs, you can also spot them hiding out under rocks, rotting wood piles and other debris.  They might even take up residence under your house!Salamanders can grow between four and six inches in length and have a life span of 25 to 50 years.  Their remarkable powers of regeneration enable them to grow lost toes, tails and even limbs! 

Crawfish (Orconectes virilis) are one of the most plentiful and easily spotted animals at Lost River.  While regular crawfish enjoy life both inside and outside the cave, blind and eyeless crawfish inhabit the deeper recesses of the cavern.  These animals appear white and translucent.  Eyes are unnecessary in the pitch black environment of the cave.  Crawfish living in surface streams and rivers have a lifespan of about 7 years, but the crawfish inside Lost River Cave may live to be 70!  The water temperature remains between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit all year at Lost River.  The chill doesn’t affect the crawfish, but it does ward off any would-be predators.  These crustaceans are some of Lost River’s largest inhabitants.

Southern cavefish (Typhlichthys subterraneus) are popular with tourists exploring Kentucky caves.  Unfortunately, the fish do not generally show themselves around the boats at Lost River.  Usually blind or eyeless, Lost River’s fish feel their way through the water—making the vibrations from the boat motor an unwelcome distraction.  Mainly found in the darker, deeper sections of the cavern, the cavefish is small with a whitish, transparent coloring.  Shine a light on one and you can actually see its organs in action!

Down in the Valley and Up in the Upland
Raccoons, red foxes, gray foxes, deer, wild turkeys—the list of valley and upland inhabitants at Lost River is long and diverse.  The 68-acre site is comprised of grassland, woodland and wetland areas, offering a variety of potential habitats. The upland is open land with fluctuating animal populations, moving in and out and using the area as a corridor between other green spaces.  Wildlife is frequently pushed into the valley due to the destruction of suitable habitat in the surrounding neighborhoods, making Lost River a sanctuary for furry, scaly and feathered refugees. 

Birds

Migrating birds visit the valley each year and find it a relaxing and safe stop on their long trip to warmer weather.  Over 130 bird species have been documented by Western Kentucky University and field ornithologist Jackie Elmore.  Bird enthusiasts are in for a treat as they wander the Blue Hole Trails and The Greenways Trail.  Cardinals, Blue Jays, Common Grackles, American Goldfinches, Robins, Downy Woodpeckers and Phoebes are common sights around the cave and valley.  Rarer sightings have included a red-tailed hawk, white-eyed vireo and barred owl.  Grab your binoculars and keep your eyes and ears open for an array of colorful species!

 

The Cardinal is Kentucky’s state bird!                The American Goldfinch enjoys frequenting the open-air feeders at
                                                                                     Lost RiverCave.

 

Reptiles & Amphibians

King, ring-neck and black racer snakes enjoy warming themselves on the sunnier areas of the Blue Hole Trails.  These legless reptiles live on a diet of mice, rats, insects, slugs and other snakes.  The species listed above are all non-threatening, but visitors should be aware that there are a few Kentucky snakes to watch out for.  Copperheads, cottonmouths, pit vipers and timber rattlers are rarely seen at Lost River and should be avoided if found anywhere on the property.









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Of the few species of turtle at Lost River, the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is the most unique.  Its shell is usually dark brown and patterned with yellow, orange and red.  When the shell is damaged, these reptiles have remarkable powers of regeneration.  Box turtles are omnivorous, meaning they enjoy a varied diet—  feasting on slugs, worms, salamanders, flowers and berries in the wild.  Determining the sex of a box turtle is quite simple—the eyes of the males are red in color while the females’ eyes are a yellowish-brown.
 

                                                                                                                      
                









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The bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is the largest frog in Kentucky.  Its deep, resounding call is unmistakable.  This amphibian ranges in color from green to brown and can be seen squatting on the logs around the blue holes during the summer months at Lost River.  They live on a diet of just about anything—birds, fish, salamanders and slugs are all fair game for a bullfrog! 

 

 

 

              

 

Mammals

A majority of the warm-blooded creatures that roam Lost River Valley are nocturnal, meaning they are only active at night.  Visitors during the day will be unlikely to see the foxes, raccoons and owls that frequent the park.  These nighttime inhabitants as well as the furry friends spotted while walking the trails during daylight hours enjoy easy access to food and water as well as freedom from the noise and disruption of urban surroundings.

                    Gray squirrels scurry about and leap from the tree                           
                      limbs throughout spring and summer at LostRiver.

The red fox is an elusive, mostly nocturnal creature,
 but may make a daytime appearance from time to time.

Cottontail rabbits are a common sight in the upland as well as the valley!     

 Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, graze on the wild grass and dandelions along the Blue Hole Trails.

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Butterfly Junction
Lost River’s Seasonal Butterfly Habitat

The seasonal Butterfly Habitat is located at the Butterfly Junction trailhead, about ¼ mile down The Blue Hole Trails.  This structure is the only butterfly habitat open on an annual basis in the entire state!  The winged insects make their appearance in the habitat around Memorial Day weekend and can be viewed throughout the summer months until the end of September, weather permitting.  We house up to eight different species of butterflies at Lost River.  Monarchs, Painted Ladies, American Painted Ladies, Gulf Fritillaries, Eastern Black Swallowtails, GiantSwallowtails, Red Admirals and Morning Cloaks are all native Kentucky species that  are maintained in the enclosure.





The entire lifecycle of these insects can be seen at Lost River!  A few of our species are provided with host plants so that they can lay eggs which will become caterpillars.  The caterpillar will eventually enter the chrysalis stage.  The chrysalis is either green or brown and may become transparent just before the pupa emerges as a butterfly.  At the time of emergence, the butterfly’s wings will be very wet.  To dry off, the insect will hang very still.  If the butterfly is touched or handled during this stage of development, its wings will not form properly and it may not be able to fly.
   

The average lifespan of a butterfly does not usually exceed two weeks from the time it emerges from its chrysalis.  Therefore, the butterfly population at Lost River is continually in need of restocking.  This can be accomplished through “growing” the eggs ourselves as well as ordering chrysalis from butterfly farms that carry our native species.  Depending on the season, hundreds of butterflies inhabit the structure.  They may land on humans for various reasons.  The butterfly loves to suck up the salt found in perspiration and they are very attracted to bright colors.  Visitors should keep in mind that the insects are very fragile and should not be handled.  Unusually cold or wet weather may cause a decrease in the number of visible butterflies.  During rainfall, most butterflies will actually “hide,” taking shelter under large leaves or in crevices. 

Access to the Butterfly Habitat is free!  Take advantage of the opportunity to learn about these colorful and fascinating creatures and experience the beauty of Mother Nature firsthand!







 

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What is Karst? 
Kentucky’s Caveland

It is estimated that only about 20% of the entire United States is classified as karst.  Karst is a distinctive topography in which the landscape is largely shaped by the dissolving action of water on carbonate bedrock.  Here at Lost River Cave the carbonate bedrock is limestone.  Over many thousands of years the turbulent groundwater dissolves this limestone, creating unusual surface and subsurface features.  Sinkholes, vertical shafts, disappearing streams, springs, complex underground drainage systems and caves stand as testament to this ongoing geological process.

Water naturally utilizes any cracks or crevices in the rock as gravity pulls the water underground. Over long periods, with a continuous supply of water rich in Carbon Dioxide, openings in the bedrock increase in size and an underground drainage system begins to develop, allowing more water to pass, further accelerating the formation of karst.  The sinkholes, collapsed cave valley, cave, river and blue holes at Lost River are all tangible evidence of the vast, underground dissolved limestone drainage system that sits beneath this region of Kentucky, shaping the lives of those who live here.

Karst groundwater provides drinking water, springs to feed our waterways and habitat for many unusual subterranean species.  Unfortunately, due to the quick drainage of rainwater    
directly into sinkholes, the rivers and springs in such areas are easily contaminated.  Storm water run-off crosses roadways, gas stations, farms and residential areas before flowing into Kentucky cave systems.  Residents must be vigilant and work together to protect the water entering the ground. 

Building on karst is another task that requires citizens to be cautious and knowledgeable about their environment.  Surveys must be conducted to ensure that sinkholes are not likely to form under manmade structures.  Sinkholes are caused by either a collapsed cave or the loss of topsoil into a karst crevice.  Houses, businesses and roadways have been lost to sinkhole collapse in karst regions throughout the United States.  Lost River Valley actually began as a collapsed portion of cave.  The basin collects drainage from the surrounding 55 square miles.  After the major breakdown, large volumes of water flowed into the trench--carrying with it soil and plant material and eventually creating the wooded valley visitors enjoy today!

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