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National
Glow-worms, Arachnocampa genus. Photo: David Merritt
2024 Nullarbor Blind Cave Spider, Troglodiplura genus, photo: Steve Milner
Australia
The first Australian Cave Animal of the Year was launched 2019. Since then six cave animals are presented until 2024, and with it specific products for each species.
Australian Cave Animal of the Year
Australian Speleological Federation
Tissue Moths, Triphosa dubitata and one Herald Moth Scoliopteryx libatrix, photo: Katharina Bürger
Austria
The Austrian Speleological Federation has joined the campaign with the first international cave animal in 2021 on behalf of the International Year of Caves and Karst. Since then, it has selected a cave animal every year.
Austrian Cave Animal of the Year
Austrian Speleological Federation
Hypena sp., Photo: Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira
Brazil
Three Cave Animals of the Year were declared according the International Cave Animal Campaigns of International Union of Speleology in 2021, 2022 and 2025.
Brazil's Cave Animal of the Year
Brazilian Speleological Federation
Tissue moth, Triphosa dubitata. Photo: Josiane Lips
France
In 2019 France joined the campaign of the Swiss Federation sharing the same language and species. Since then, a cave animal is selected every year.
French Cave Animal of the Year
French Speleological Federation
Tissue moths, Triphosa dubitata. Photo: Klaus Bogon
Germany
Started in 2009 as part of the national "Nature of the Year", the campaign is very successful and lead to an inclusion of caves as protected biotopes in the German nature protection law. Posters and flyers are provided for showcaves and members.
German Cave Animal of the Year
Register of Cave Animals
German Speleological Federation
Schreiber’s Bent-Winged Bat, Miniopterus schreibersii.
Photo: Kaloust Paragamian
Greece
In 2024 a bat was declared as Cave Animal of the Year.
2024
Cave Fauna of Greece Database
Hellenic Institute of Speleological Research
The world’s largest cavefish, Neolissochilus pnar. Photo: Dhritiman Mukherjee
India
In 2025 the first Cave Animal of the Year for India was declared.
India's Cave Animal of the Year
Speleological Association of India
Mating tissue moths Triphosa dubitata. Photo: Enrico Lana
Italy
2019 was the start for the Italian Cave Animal of the Year. A play of cards with information on cave animals was produced in 2024.
Italian Cave Animal of the Year
Italian Speleological Society
Tissue Moth, Triphosa dubitata and Triphosa sabaudiata. Photo: Christian Lüthi
Switzerland
In 2019 the first Cave Animal of the Year was anounced for Switzerland. Since then, it was selected every year. Informations are available in German, French and Italian language.
Swiss Cave Animal of the Year
Register of Cave Animals
Swiss Society for Speleology
Texas Cave Shrimp, Palaemonetes antrorum. Photo: © Danté Fenolio
USA
Since 2020 the USA is part of the cave animal of the year family, spreading informations to members and the public.
Regional Cave Animal of the Years
Laemostenus (Antisphodrus) cazorlensis. Photo: Adrià Miralles
Spain
Jaen Cave Invertebrate of the Year started in 2014. It is declared not in every year.
Jaen Cave Invertebrate of the Year
Grupo de Espeleología de Villacarrillo
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