Discover the unique animals that call Mammoth Cave National Park home; let’s dive in to learn more!
1. Kentucky Cave Shrimp
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Kentucky_cave_shrimp_Palaemonias_ganteri_12434722624.jpg)
This unique shrimp species is endemic to the caves of Kentucky, including Mammoth Cave. It is nearly blind and has adapted to the cave environment over time.
2. Indiana Bat
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Indiana_bat_5600250155-1200x800.jpg)
A federally endangered species, the Indiana bat roosts in caves during the winter, including those found in Mammoth Cave National Park.
3. Northern Long-eared Bat
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Northern_long-eared_bat_with_visible_symptoms_of_WNS_8384023282-1200x900.jpg)
Another bat species found in the park, the northern long-eared bat also relies on caves for roosting and hibernation.
4. Eastern Pipistrelle
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Perimyotis_subflavus_3.jpg)
This small bat species can be found foraging around the entrances of caves within the park.
5. Cave Salamander
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Depositphotos_8266104_XL-1200x480.jpg)
True to its name, the cave salamander inhabits the dark, damp environments of caves, including those in Mammoth Cave National Park.
6. Northern Slimy Salamander
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Plethodon_glutinosus_Stanton_1-1200x800.jpg)
This species of slimy salamander can be found in the forested areas surrounding the caves of the park.
7. Eastern Red-backed Salamander
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Depositphotos_610150972_XL-1-1200x800.jpg)
Another salamander species found in the park, the eastern red-backed salamander inhabits the leaf litter and rocky areas near cave entrances.
8. Cave Crayfish
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Orconectes_sheltae_male-1.jpg)
Several species of crayfish inhabit the underground rivers and streams within the cave systems of Mammoth Cave National Park.
9. Northern Cavefish
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mammoth_Cave_National_Park_EYELESSF-1200x900.jpg)
This eyeless fish species is specifically adapted to the dark cave environment and can be found in the underground waters of the park.
10. Green Salamander
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Depositphotos_703050242_XL-1200x800.jpg)
While not strictly confined to caves, the green salamander can occasionally be found in rocky crevices and cave entrances within the park.
11. Northern Spring Peeper
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/H_crucifer_USGS.jpg)
This small tree frog species can be heard calling from the forested areas surrounding the caves during the spring breeding season.
12. Eastern Box Turtle
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Eastern_Box_Turtle_Terrapene_carolina_carolina_-_Fairfax_-_02-1200x847.jpeg)
While not exclusive to caves, eastern box turtles can sometimes be found foraging in the leaf litter near cave entrances.
13. Black Rat Snake
![Rat Snake Bites](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2-13-1200x795.jpg)
These non-venomous snakes are commonly found in the woodlands surrounding Mammoth Cave National Park and occasionally enter caves in search of prey.
14. Eastern Garter Snake
![Eastern Garter Snake](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Eastern-Garter-Snake-1200x800.jpg)
Another common snake species in the park, the eastern garter snake can be found near streams and wetland areas within the park.
15. Eastern Fence Lizard
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Sceloporus_undulatus_in_Guadalupe_Mountains_National_Park-1200x647.jpg)
This lizard species is often seen basking on rocks and tree trunks in the forested areas surrounding the caves.
16. Eastern Boxelder Bug
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Eastern_Boxelder_Bug_-_Flickr_-_treegrow-1200x900.jpg)
While not a cave-dweller, these insects are commonly found in the forests surrounding the caves of Mammoth Cave National Park.
17. Eastern Red-spotted Newt
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Depositphotos_543048564_XL-1200x880.jpg)
This amphibian species can be found in the moist woodlands surrounding the caves, particularly near streams and seeps.
18. Eastern Mole
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Eastern_Mole_Scalopus_aquaticus-1200x800.jpg)
While primarily terrestrial, eastern moles can occasionally be found near cave entrances where the soil is loose and suitable for burrowing.
19. Northern Short-tailed Shrew
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Blarina_brevicauda_2-1200x800.jpg)
These small insect-eating mammals are often found in the leaf litter and soil near cave entrances.
20. American Toad
![American toad](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/image-24-1200x900.png)
Commonly found in the forests and meadows surrounding the caves, American toads may occasionally venture into cave entrances during periods of high humidity.
21. American Black Bear
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Depositphotos_690298008_XL-1200x800.jpg)
The largest mammal in the park, black bears are primarily forest-dwelling but may travel near cave entrances in search of food, particularly during the spring and summer months.
Conclusion
![](https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Depositphotos_210848312_XL-1200x819.jpg)
These are just a few examples of the diverse array of wildlife that call Mammoth Cave National Park home. To read more like this, check out the articles below:
- 21 Animals That Call The Great Basin Home
- 21 Animals That Call Badlands National Park Home
- 21 Animals That Call Sequoia National Park Home
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