International
Cave Animal of the Years

2025 Butterflies, Moths

Butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) are regular inhabitants of caves, either as adults spending winter or summertime underground, or as larvae feeding on guano in tropical or subtropical areas. In terms of species numbers, Lepidoptera represent the largest order of plant-eating animals. Currently, about 160,000 species have been described, but it is estimated that there are actually 500,000 species of butterflies on Earth. About 1,000 new species are described each year. They may respond to climate warming by their increasing use of caves. Field studies are integral to understanding their ecological roles and adaptations. For example, some species feed on guano deposits, contributing to nutrient recycling in cave ecosystems.

Poster 2025 Butterflies, Moths

2022 Bats

There are over 1,400 bat species living in the wild around the world and they do not threaten their human neighbours in urban environments. Bats have been on Earth for more than 50 million years, they are the second largest order of mammals, and are widely dispersed across six continents. Many have adapted to urban environments, living in backyard gardens, parks and even roosting under bridges. Bats provide enormous benefits to vital ecosystem services in the form of insect pest consumption, plant pollination, and seed dispersal. Globally, 40% of all bat species are currently listed as either threatened with imminent extinction, nearly threatened, or data deficient.

Flyer 2022 Bats

Poster 2022 Bats

2021 Cave Beetles

The first International Cave Animal of the Year is cave beetles. Beetles are the most diverse animals on our planet. Approximately 400,000 species were

described. They are insects, have six legs, a pair of antennae and two pairs of wings. Their forewings are hardened, cover part of the body, and together with their hard exoskeleton offer good protection from predators. Beetles can live on land or in water.

The Slenderneck beetle, Leptodirus hochenwartii, was the world's first described and scientifically recognized subterranean animal. It was first discovered in September 1831 by a cave guide who picked it up while exploring part of the Postojna cave system in southwestern Slovenia. Aquatic cave beetles live in springs and groundwater. They need air to breathe and must reach the water surface every 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Flyer 2021 Cave Beetles

Poster 2021 Cave Beetles