All About Caves
1. List 4 types of caves and briefly describe how they are formed:
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(Solution caves- made by acidic water that seeps through limestone)
(Lava Tube caves- formed by flowing lava)
(Sea caves- found along the coast and made by ocean waves)
(Ice or Glacial caves- created in glaciers or large bodies of ice and made by melting ice)
2. List at least 5 common features found in caves.
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(Entrance, chambers or passageways, stalactites, stalagmites, underground water, etc.)
3. List and briefly describe at least 5 cave formations.
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(Columns, flowstones, soda straws, gypsum flowers, cave coral, etc.)
4. List and briefly describe the three zones of a solution cave.
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(Entrance zone: opening of the cave)
(Twilight zone: deeper into the cave, light begins to diminish)
(Dark zone: part of the cave that is complete darkness, no light source)
5. List at least 6 animals found in caves. Choose at least 2 from each cave zone, identify the zone and
any adaptations the animal has made to survive in that habitat.
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(Birds, snakes, and mice are found in the entrance zone. They seek shelter in the cave; bears may
hibernate)
(Spiders, crickets, salamanders, and bats can be found in the twilight zone. They may live much
of their life inside the cave but may also survive outside. They may go in and out.)
(Some salamanders, cave fish, cave crickets (long antennae to feel), and millipedes may be found
in the dark zone. The fish and cave crickets are often white colored and blind because they have
adapted to no light, long life cycles, few eggs produced, etc.)
6. List some safety rules when exploring caves. (never go into a cave alone, make sure someone knows
where you are, stay put if you get lost-don’t wander around, do not touch formations, etc.)
7. What type of gear is needed when spelunking. (Light sources (at least 3), extra batteries, rope,
helmet, knee pads, first aid kit, food (noncrumbly), water, shoes with good traction, etc.)
8. List at least 3 interesting facts you learned about caves in your research.