Moccasins found in Salt Cave, now part of Mammoth Cave.
These moccasins were likely worn by Native Americans who mined
the cave for its gypsum formations.
According to a 1973 letter from Roy H. Owsley, the moccasins were found by Andy Collins
(brother of Floyd Collins), Gabrielle Robertson, Cecil Wright, and Roy during a trip to Salts
Cave in Hart County in the mid-1920s. Owsley stated,
"Our second trip into the cave lasted several hours. During this trip, the three of us (Andy
Collins, Cecil Wright and I) explored several branches off of the main cavern, and in one of
these in particular we found names and dates that had been scratched on the walls of the
cave with a knife.... In this same chamber...we found several Indian moccasins that were
almost perfectly preserved, along with some other lesser items, all of which were very
carefully carried and handled by Cecil and me..."
Geological Specimens.
Courtesy WKU Department of Geology and Geography.
Minerals of Mammoth Cave
Madison Whittle, Visual Arts Major, Fall 2019.
This work depicts a scientific collection of a few of the minerals found in Mammoth cave.
Accompanying each realistic illustration is the respective crystal system, or a category classified
by possible relations of the crystal axes. The following minerals are featured:
A. Aragonite (orthorhombic)
B. Pyrite (cubic)
C. Gypsum flower (monoclinic)
D. Celestine (orthorhombic)
E. Mirabilite (monoclinic)
"Rosa's Bower" by Charles Waldack, 1866.
Depicts part of the roof in Cleveland's Cabinet, featuring gypsum flowers resembling
roses and dahlia.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
Geological Specimens.
Courtesy WKU Department of Geology and Geography.
"The Altar" by Charles Waldack, 1866.
This cluster of columns is so named due to marriages which took place in this part of the cave.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
Stalactite and Stalagmite formations, taken by H. C. Ganter and Carlos G. Darnall, 1889.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
Echo River Tour, from glass plate negative by H. C. Ganter and Carlos G. Darnall, 1889.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
Stalactite and Stalagmite formations, print from glass plate negative by H. C. Ganter
and Carlos G. Darnall, 1889.
Courtesy WKU Library and Special Collections.
"Cliffs over the Dead Sea" stereoview, taken by Charles Waldock, 1866.
Courtesy WKU Library and Special Collections.
Experiments at Mammoth Cave.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Carte-de-visite photograph of Esther Virginia "Jennie" Ray Younglove in a caving outfit.
Courtesy WKU Library special collections.
Grease oil lamp made with tin and copper, used in the explorations of Mammoth Cave, n.d.
Kentucky Museum
1847 journal of a trip through Kentucky and Visit to Mammoth Cave.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections
Anna Harris begins an 80-foot rappel into a pit in Great Onyx Cave to collect
underground river samples.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Jumar
This yellow device is a "jumar" and is an example of the types of climbing equipment used to
travel through the park's caves. Mammoth Cave has many vertical shafts, some more than 150
feet deep, that require special equipment. On loan from Dr. Chris Groves.
Price AA Current Meter
Used to measure flow rates of surface and underground rivers. On loan from Dr. Chris Groves.
Cavers preparing to assist park research efforts by exploring and mapping an
underground stream.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Pygmy Style Current Meter
This tiny "pygmy" style meter is used to measure flow rates of small streams.
On loan from Dr. Chris Groves.
Helmet with Light
Helmets and lights are among the most important pieces of equipment that cave scientists
and explorers use. On loan from Dr. Chris Groves.
Rite in the Rain notepad
It is important to take careful notes when collecting data, whether above or below ground.
"Rite in the Rain" paper is waterproof, and mud can even be washed off without smearing notes.
On loan from Dr. Chris Groves.
Timeline starts here. Hover to see!
Paleoindian ~ 11,500 BP to 10,000 BP
There was little habitation in the Mammoth Cave area
at this time. The few tools found from that period may
have been brought in from elsewhere.
Archaic ~ 10,000 BP to 3,000 BP
The first explorers entered the cave about
4,700 years ago. Extensive mineral mining in
the cave began about 1,500 years later.
Woodland ~ 3,000 BP to 900 AD
The deepest ancient cave exploration known anywhere
in the world took people up to 5 miles from the nearest
entrance. Major cave exploration ended about
2,200 years ago.
Mississippian ~ 900 AD to 1500 AD
and Proto-Historic ~ 1500 AD to 1700 AD
There was regional habitation, but no deep cave
exploration; some caves were used for rock art.
Early Exploration ~ 1790s to 1940s
Early saltpeter mining gave way to tours starting in 1815.
Stephen Bishop made major discoveries in the 1830s, and
German engineer Max Kamper made an accurate map of
35 miles of passages in 1908.
C-3 Expedition ~ 1940s to 1957
Independent explorers discovered a huge cave
system beneath Flint Ridge. The 1954 Floyd Collins
Crystal Cave (C-3) Expedition by the National
Speleological Society nurtured a new era of
sustained, organized exploration.
Cave Research Foundation ~ 1957 to Present
The National Park Service and newly-formed Cave
Research Foundation agreed to collaborate in
exploration and scientific study. Flint Ridge and
Mammoth were connected in 1972, at that time
the world’s longest cave at 144 miles.
Roppel Cave ~ 1976 to Present
Nearly 50 miles were explored in Roppel Cave
after its discovery in 1976. The Mammoth-Roppel
connection in 1983 made a cave system then
almost 300 miles long.
Fisher Ridge Cave ~ 1982 to Present
Fisher Ridge Cave was discovered in 1981.
Currently the world’s 10th longest cave, it may
connect to Mammoth one day. In the 1980s,
cavers working for hydrologist Jim Quinlan
mapped many miles of underground rivers.
Collaborative Exploration ~ 1992 to Present
Historic collaboration by explorers resulted in the
1992 map “Caves of the Dripping Springs Escarpment.”
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology
matured for cave survey data management.
691.7 miles
As of January 2020, there are 697.1 miles of cave
passages documented beneath Hart, Barren and
Edmonson Counties.
Timeline developed by Dr. Chris Groves in partnership
with Dr. George M. Crothers, Chuck DeCroix, Dr. Stanley
Sides, and John MacGregor.
Moccasins, discovered in Salt Cave (now part of Mammoth Cave), 1926.
Kentucky Museum.
"Gothic Chapel" by Charles Waldack, 1866.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
"Bacon Chamber" by Charles Waldack, 1866.
This chamber is named due to projections from the roof resembling bacon.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
Report by Alonzo W. Pond about the finding of a mummy in Mammoth Cave, 1935.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
Map of Mammoth Cave, 1811.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
The Flint Mammoth Cave System Map.
Featured in the 1975 report by the Cave Research Foundation.
Courtesy Library of Congress.
Historic entrance to Mammoth Cave Saltpeter Works.
Courtesy Library of Congress.
Dr. Rick Toomey and Dr. Chris Groves speak with participants during a trip to Mammoth Cave.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Cover for a research symposium held at Mammoth Cave in 2016.
Courtesy WKU Library Special Collections.
Scenes from Mammoth Cave, featured in Picturesque America, 1873.
Reproduction courtesy Department of Library Special Collections.
These historical illustrations of Mammoth Cave are similar to others of the period from Europe's
classical Mediterranean karst, which were drawn by founders of karst geology and geographic
studies, Édouard-Alfred Martel and Jovan Cvijić. As scientists, they aimed to acquaint the wider
public with fascinating underground features and to invite others to join them in further
discoveries. Overall the relatively realistic scenes are remarkable as the artists not only had no
proper cameras, but not even lights except for torches.
by Zoran Stevanovic
A current leader of the International Association of Hydrogeologists Karst Commission, Zoran is a
geologist and Professor of the University of Belgrade, Serbia and Chair of the Centre for Karst
Hydrogeology there.
Both tourists and scientists share a common motivation: curiosity. The torch displays point out
how big and endless the passages seem, which geologists seek to explain. Both are motivated by
a sense of wonder and thrill of discovery.
Certain aspects of the cave have been exaggerated. In reality, there is no overhang of the ledge in
the center - it's been added for impact. The "coffin" in the lower-right has been purposely
reshaped to look like a coffin, rather than its real high, narrow, ship-like appearance.
These illustrations are adjusted for maximum impact - to show the cave is an exciting place.
by Art and Peggy Palmer
From their base at the State University of New York at Oneonta, Art and Peggy have been
exploring, studying, and writing about the geology of Mammoth Cave (and many others) for
nearly the last 50 years.
"American Sketches: Mammoth Cave - The Gothic Gallery."
Courtesy Department of Library Special Collections.
Three brave cave explorers are observing the great variety of cave features. A hanging
"stone forest" reminds them of rolling grey clouds on a cave ceiling. Many big and irregular
"stone columns" are connecting the ceiling and floor. In the lower right corner, some
collapsed rocks look like creeping sheep. Like the milk of Mammoths, water with white
contents flows from the top to the bottom. During the dripping, stalagmites and stalactites
grow gradually. It is strong dripping water that flows along in the same way for a long period
that forms the stone columns.
by Pu Junbing
Jungbing is Hydrogeologist and a Professor at the Institute of Karst Geology in Guilin China,
within the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. He conducts research throughout
southwest China's karst areas.
Looking at this sketch, I am reminded that both Gothic architecture and karst groundwater
are lacking in this part of Mammoth Cave. Here, Gothic was implied by creating a name based
on some general similarity - the pointed arches of Gothic style. Groundwater was shown by
converting speleothem shapes into something that reminds us of waves on the water surface.
A happy end was inevitable: visitors accompanied by the painter surely appeared back above
ground better stocked by drinks, underground stream water was found in Mammoth Cave in
1838, and Classicism flourished in my country, accompanied by Gothic Revival in North America.
And groundwater was everywhere!
by Peter Malik
Living in a small country, but one blessed with beautiful and fantastic landscapes, Peter is
Department Head for Hydrogeology at Slovakia's national Geological Survey.
Poster for the Eighth Annual Congress of Speleology at Mammoth Dome.
Courtesy Department of Library Special Collections.
It is still very difficult, to this day, to accurately portray a scene in a cave. In 1876, the artist
made a superb job in representing this section of Mammoth Cave. I can see that the wall in the
right seems to comprise collapsed blocks (we call it breakdown). The wall in the left is smooth,
characteristic of being subject to water flow (dissolution by an underground river). The ceiling
cannot be seen, the passage is very high and narrow, suggesting that there was (or is) a water
source that comes from above. We call it a dome.
by Augusto Auler
Since completing graduate studies in the US and Europe, Augusto has been Director of Brazil's
Institute of Karst Geology. Its mission is to study and preserve Brazilian karst areas.
"Echo River" by Grace Kirby Wiley, oil paint on canvas.
Kentucky Museum.
This delightful painting of a boating expedition on Echo River highlights the mystery and thrill of
the world underground.
What happens in that darkness at the end of the river passage? Artists and scientists alike will first
imagine, and then will be compelled to explore this in their differing ways.
by Derek Ford
Derek bicycled some 20 miles through English countryside as a 12-year-old to visit his first caves.
In a world-class karst program at Canada's McMaster University, Derek has by now mentored
many of the world's top cave scientists.
Kettle used to mine saltpeter at
Mammoth Cave during the War of 1812.
Kentucky Museum.
Skeleton of a big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus)
Prepared by Steve Huskey, Ph.D.
Functional Morphology, Department of Biology, WKU.
A solitary roosting bat in Mammoth Cave.
Courtesy National Park Service.
The Usefulness of Echolocation in Bats
By Sam Allen, Fall 2019.
There are a lot of mysteries surrounding bats due mostly for the fact they are nocturnal, and
many people choose to stay clear of them. Bats have great vision especially during low light
conditions, such as the early morning and dusk. During peak nighttime hours they rely mainly on
echolocation and vibrations off from things to locate their prey. Their eyes are a main focus of
the bat, as they are small but very sensitive and can “see” in near pitch-black conditions.
Illustrations by Julie Schuck, WKU art instructor, Fall 2019.
Scenes from Mammoth Cave, featured in Picturesque America, 1873.
Reproduction courtesy Department of Library Special Collections.
These historical illustrations of Mammoth Cave are similar to others of the period from Europe's
classical Mediterranean karst, which were drawn by founders of karst geology and geographic
studies, Édouard-Alfred Martel and Jovan Cvijić. As scientists, they aimed to acquaint the wider
public with fascinating underground features and to invite others to join them in further
discoveries. Overall the relatively realistic scenes are remarkable as the artists not only had no
proper cameras, but not even lights except for torches.
by Zoran Stevanovic
A current leader of the International Association of Hydrogeologists Karst Commission, Zoran is a
geologist and Professor of the University of Belgrade, Serbia and Chair of the Centre for Karst
Hydrogeology there.
Both tourists and scientists share a common motivation: curiosity. The torch displays point out
how big and endless the passages seem, which geologists seek to explain. Both are motivated by
a sense of wonder and thrill of discovery.
Certain aspects of the cave have been exaggerated. In reality, there is no overhang of the ledge in
the center - it's been added for impact. The "coffin" in the lower-right has been purposely
reshaped to look like a coffin, rather than its real high, narrow, ship-like appearance.
These illustrations are adjusted for maximum impact - to show the cave is an exciting place.
by Art and Peggy Palmer
From their base at the State University of New York at Oneonta, Art and Peggy have been
exploring, studying, and writing about the geology of Mammoth Cave (and many others) for
nearly the last 50 years.
Poster for the Eighth Annual Congress of Speleology at Mammoth Dome.
Courtesy Department of Library Special Collections.
It is still very difficult, to this day, to accurately portray a scene in a cave. In 1876, the artist
made a superb job in representing this section of Mammoth Cave. I can see that the wall in the
right seems to comprise collapsed blocks (we call it breakdown). The wall in the left is smooth,
characteristic of being subject to water flow (dissolution by an underground river). The ceiling
cannot be seen, the passage is very high and narrow, suggesting that there was (or is) a water
source that comes from above. We call it a dome.
by Augusto Auler
Since completing graduate studies in the US and Europe, Augusto has been Director of Brazil's
Institute of Karst Geology. Its mission is to study and preserve Brazilian karst areas.
"American Sketches: Mammoth Cave - The Gothic Gallery."
Courtesy Department of Library Special Collections.
Three brave cave explorers are observing the great variety of cave features. A hanging
"stone forest" reminds them of rolling grey clouds on a cave ceiling. Many big and irregular
"stone columns" are connecting the ceiling and floor. In the lower right corner, some
collapsed rocks look like creeping sheep. Like the milk of Mammoths, water with white
contents flows from the top to the bottom. During the dripping, stalagmites and stalactites
grow gradually. It is strong dripping water that flows along in the same way for a long period
that forms the stone columns.
by Pu Junbing
Jungbing is Hydrogeologist and a Professor at the Institute of Karst Geology in Guilin China,
within the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences. He conducts research throughout
southwest China's karst areas.
Looking at this sketch, I am reminded that both Gothic architecture and karst groundwater
are lacking in this part of Mammoth Cave. Here, Gothic was implied by creating a name based
on some general similarity - the pointed arches of Gothic style. Groundwater was shown by
converting speleothem shapes into something that reminds us of waves on the water surface.
A happy end was inevitable: visitors accompanied by the painter surely appeared back above
ground better stocked by drinks, underground stream water was found in Mammoth Cave in
1838, and Classicism flourished in my country, accompanied by Gothic Revival in North America.
And groundwater was everywhere!
by Peter Malik
Living in a small country, but one blessed with beautiful and fantastic landscapes, Peter is
Department Head for Hydrogeology at Slovakia's national Geological Survey.
"Echo River" by Grace Kirby Wiley, oil paint on canvas.
Kentucky Museum.
This delightful painting of a boating expedition on Echo River highlights the mystery and thrill of
the world underground.
What happens in that darkness at the end of the river passage? Artists and scientists alike will first
imagine, and then will be compelled to explore this in their differing ways.
by Derek Ford
Derek bicycled some 20 miles through English countryside as a 12-year-old to visit his first caves.
In a world-class karst program at Canada's McMaster University, Derek has by now mentored
many of the world's top cave scientists.
WKU's baseball team competes in several
games during the 2018-19 season.
Photos courtesy WKU athletics.
Kettle used to mine saltpeter at
Mammoth Cave during the War of 1812.
Kentucky Museum.
Saltpeter pipes, from glass plate negative by H. C. Ganter and Carlos G. Darnall, 1889.
Courtesy WKU Library and Special Collections.
Tackling Water Quality in the Green River, Mammoth Cave National Park.
by Julie Schuck, WKU art instructor, 2020.
Water quality data charts.
by Julie Schuck, WKU art instructor.
Lee Ann Bledsoe performs experiments on water quality in Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Students conduct a groundwater tracing experiment.
This waterfall pours off a sandstone layer, then lands on the limestone base
and sinks underground into the cave system.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Untitled
by Rhiannon Hussung, Architectural Science major, Fall 2019.
Northern red salamander.
Courtesy John MacGregor, Herpetologist, Nongame Program,
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Cave salamander.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Marbled salamander eating earthworm.
Courtesy John MacGregor, Herpetologist, Nongame Program,
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Marbled Salamander
by Savannah Haney, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
The /'kra fiSH/: Measurements for the Size of the Species
by Kimberly Jefferson, Advertising major, Fall 2019.
The Marbled Salamander
by Morgan Butler, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
Depicts a marbled salamander to scale with a 12-ounce Coke can.
Comparing the two shows how small the salamander is in life.
Jessica Williams places a bag of charcoal into a cave stream for
a groundwater tracing experiment.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Gastropod Illustration
by Sydney Vest, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
This illustrates different gastropods, or snails, showing their different body shapes,
shell shapes, and shell colors.
Corn Snake Stalking its Prey, the White-Footed Mouse
by Kaleb Harness, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
Undead at Mammoth Cave: Heterodon platirhinos
by Sophie LaMontagne, Visual Studies major, Fall 2019.
Eastern hognose snakes are named for their stout and upturned noses.
They assume this position to convince predators that they are already dead.
Why are Fawns Often Found Alone?
by Hannah Dunn, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
If you see a baby deer resting in the tall grass, leave them alone! Does will often leave
their fawns in a safe place while they graze, returning a few times to nurse. This prevents
attracting predators to the fawn.
Nocturnal
by Meghan Hodges, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
Big brown bats are nocturnal, or active at night. These bats are susceptible to white nose syndrome.
Eastern Small-Footed Myotis's Diet
by Marrick Thurman, Visual Studies major, Fall 2019.
A Significant Salamander
by Maya Dobelstein, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
The marbled salamander lives off crickets, earthworms, centipedes, snails, and
numerous small animals.
Kentucky Keep on Shining
by Julie Schuck, WKU art instructor, Fall 2019.
Improvements in air quality and light fixtures reveal a dazzling night sky.
Native
by Sidney Jarboe, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
Features native bird species of Mammoth Cave, including the Northern Cardinal,
American Goldfinch, Great Blue Heron, American Redstart, and Belted Kingfisher.
Adult Saw-Whet Owl and Owlet
by Jessie Allison, Elementary Education major, Fall 2019.
These owls are one of the smallest owls, reaching the size of a tomato during adulthood.
This drawing illustrates differences between babies (owlets) and adult owls.
Air quality data chart
by Julie Schuck, WKU art instructor.
Lyla Ross, a 5th grader from University School, assists Park and WKU scientists
with a tracing experiment.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Tianlong Bridge, a South China Karst natural arch.
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
Limestone formations in Furong Cave, within South China Karst.
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
Entrance to caves at Puerto-Princesa, 2008.
Courtesy UNESCO.
Outcrop of karst formations at Puerto-Princesa, 2013.
Courtesy Shankar.s via Wikimedia.
Tourist route through Skocjan Caves, April 2013.
Courtesy Lander at Slovenian Wikipedia.
Entrance to Skocjan Caves, 2009.
Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
Kentucky Cave Shrimp
by Caroline Sadlo, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
Speaking for Statistics
by Ashlyn Crawford, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
This graphic explores everyday scenes found at Mammoth Cave,
including various wildlife and associated statistics.
Lyla Ross, a 5th grader from University School, assists Park and WKU scientists
with a tracing experiment.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Autumn Singer presents an exhibit at the American Water Resources
Association Conference.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Article by Dr. Chris Groves discussing how cave formations reveal
seasonal changes in dripwater flow.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Limb Regeneration of a Cave Salamander
by Xavier Malies, Visual Studies major, Fall 2019.
Mammoth Cave Bats
by Kenzie Crowe, Advertising major, Fall 2019.
Students from Bowling Green High School's Science National Honor
Society studying cave formations.
Courtesy Crawford Hydrology Lab.
Mammoth Cave Project
by Allyson Hodge, Fall 2019.
"In the drawing there are five different species of lynx:
1. Lynx rufus floridanus
2. Lynx rufus californicus
3. Lynx rufus (Bobcat)
4. Lynx canadensis
5. Lynx rufus texensis
In the center of the drawing is the Lynx rufus most commonly called the bobcat.
The bobcat can be seen around Mammoth Cave whenever visiting. The lynxes
shown around the bobcat are other types around North America. The point is to
show the difference in the way each cat looks from the other in the face but also
in the markings on their face and the type of fur. Each lynx is from a different
part, making their fur different not just in color but in the patterns they have and
how thick it can be. The Lynx rufus floridanus is from Florida, the Lynx rufus
californicus is from California, the Lynx canadensis is from Canada, and the Lynx
rufus texensis is from Texas. These are all but a few subspecies of Lynx in North
America. There are a lot more, not just in North America, but the whole world."
White Nose Syndrome
by Kayshlyn Cook, Fall 2019.
Kentucky Cave Shrimp
by Liu Yi, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
"It shows three Kentucky cave shrimps in my artwork. The Kentucky cave shrimp is
endemic to the Mammoth Cave national park area of Kentucky. It lives only in
underground caves. The Kentucky cave shrimp is nearly transparent. It feeds
mainly on sediments, which are washed into the cave by the flow of groundwater.
The Kentucky cave shrimp also listed as endangered by the state."
Coyote Family
by Tyler Cummins, Visual Studies major, Fall 2019.
"The coyote appears often in the tales and traditions of Native Americans usually
as a very savvy and clever beast. Modern coyotes have displayed their cleverness
by adapting to the changing American landscape. These members of the dog
family once lived primarily in the p[en prairies and deserts, but now roams the
continent’s forests and mountains. They have even colonized cities like Los
Angeles and there over most of in North America. This image shows that the
mother is watching the pups while the father goes hunting. They communicate
with a distinctive call, which at night often develops into a raucous canine chorus."
Gypsum Flowers
by Thy Phan, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
Cyanocitta cristata and Clematis versicolor in Mammoth Cave National Park
by Nadya Cournoyer, Advertising major, Fall 2019.
"Blue jays are highly intelligent and adaptable birds. However, with the changing
climate, weather patterns are shifting which is causing birds to change their
behaviors. Researchers have found that many bird species are beginning to spend
the winter further north due to warmer temperatures in the south.
Clematis versicolor (Leather flower clematis) ranges from rocky open woods and
ravines from Kentucky south to Texas. It has a long flowering period lasting from
April to June, resting during the summer and resuming in September/October.
It is important to maintain environments and be aware of climate change for
these species and many others."
The Hoary Bat
by Avery Harlow, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
"The hoary bat, one of the many bats found in the Mammoth Cave area, is the
most widespread bat in North and South America. The are one of a few species
that often give birth to twins rather than a single pup. Their fur coloration also
gives them the appearance of being frosted, hence the name “hoary”."
Kentucky Cave Shrimp
by Justine Diedrich, Visual Studies major, Fall 2019.
"I chose to do my Mammoth Cave project according to the eyeless Kentucky cave
shrimp, a particular crustacean species that is only found in Kentucky. The
translucent body and lack of eyes suggest that the crayfish has been developing
underground for many years. When light is pointed toward the crayfish, it’s whole
body seems to glow.
The eyeless cave shrimp mainly lives in large base streams with slow water flow. It
is call the eyeless shrimp because it has adapted to its environment so well that it
has stopped developing eyes altogether It navigates the cave using its antennas
and eats fungi from the floors of the streams."
What Whitetail Deer Eat
by Kelley Clark, Visual Studies major, Fall 2019.
"In the center of my picture is a male whitetail deer. You can tell he is a male
because he has antlers. Whitetail deer’s diet change depending on the season, and
what is available at that time. In the top left corner of the picture is walnuts. In the
top right corner is an ear of corn. In the Bottom right is acorns. The bottom left is
apples."
Chamomile Study
by Lillie Whelchel, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
"Mammoth Cave National Park houses many types of plants. This illustration
highlights Chamomile, a common plant here and throughout the world.
Chamomile has white petals, usually 12 of them, and a golden yellow center. My
depiction doesn’t exactly replicate the colors of Chamomile, as I only used a
single color. Chamomile is sought after for its appealing fragrance and its
medicinal properties. Chamomile is also an herb that is commonly used in teas."
Cave Salamander
by Sarah Terry, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
"Mammoth Cave National Park is home to a variety of life. One amphibious life
form is the Cave Salamander. Despite its name, Eurycea lucifuga is not restricted
to caves, but can also be found near bluffs, rocky walls, and under damp logs.
Inside caves, however, they are typically found in the “twilight zone” of the cave,
an area just inside the cave’s entrance where there is some light, but not enough
for plants to grow. These salamanders typically have a bright reddish-orange
body heavily marked with black spots and dashes. E. Lucifuga eat many
invertebrates, including many kinds of insects, mites, ticks, isopods, earthworms,
and other soft-bodied creatures. This illustration shows a cave salamander I
between a bed of rocks in Mammoth Cave.
This species is endangered in Kansas but is thriving in Kentucky. Human activities
in and around the caves in addition to groundwater pollution have been though
to be the potential sources of the decline in populations. It is important to
maintain the environment for this species so they may thrive and the ecosystems
which they affect may continue to survive."
Glaucomys Volans (Flying Squirrel)
by Elizabeth Hilbrecht, Visual Studies major, Fall 2019.
"Mammoth Cave National Park is home to many different creatures, one of them
being the Glaucomys volans also known as the flying squirrel. Despite the name,
these squirrels do not actually fly. They glide through the air using their wings
which are a thin layer of skin that is attached to the body, arm, and leg of the
squirrel, almost acting as a parachute for the squirrel. This allows this type of
squirrel to soar around 28 meters in length using their tail to help navigate from
tree to tree throughout the forest."
Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)
by Erin Taylor, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
"The Mammoth Cave National Park is a sanctuary to many species of plants, trees,
and ground dwellers. They are home to about 200 different species of birds as
well. Many of them are migratory birds in which we see at least twice a year—one
being the scarlet tanager. This illustration provides detail about this specific bird
and its life cycle.
1. Scarlet Tanager ID
2. Breeding/Migration
3. Nesting
4. Diet
The biggest threat to their population is habitat encroachment. This is due to
road construction or land clearing for human expansion. But with protected parks
like the Mammoth Cave National Park, these species of bird will continue to thrive."
Mammoth Cave National Park: A World Heritage Site
by Kaharie Taggart, Architectural Science major, Fall 2019.
A Silent Tragedy
by JoyBeth Heberly, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
"White Nose Syndrome, caused by a fungus known as Pseudogymnoascus
destructans, threatens bat populations in Mammoth Cave, including the Norther
Long Eared Bat. The white fungus thrives in cold, damp areas and appears on
bats’ noses, wings, and ears. The colonization of the fungus on these areas of
bats’ skin is how the syndrome got its name. This syndrome has cause the deaths
of millions of bats by causing bats to wake out of their dormant state, burning
through calories stored for hibernation, resulting in the bats dying of starvation.
Humans are causing a rise in the presence of the fungus by wearing
contaminated caving gear and polluting the cave ecosystem. In order to save bat
populations like the Northern Long Eared Bat and prevent contamination,
humans must be cautious of our effect on the environment around us."
Mammoth Cave Flowers
by Taylor Smith, Fall 2019.
Bats in Mammoth Cave National Park
by Jonathan Batts, Broadcasting major, Fall 2019.
"Mammoth Cave National Park is home to many species of bats, including big
brown bats, little brown bats, tricolored bats, and so on. Most of these bats
inhabit the caves, however, the eastern red bat mostly live above land.
1. Eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis)
2. Big brown bat (Eptisecus fuscus)
3. Little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus)
4. Tricolroed bat (Perimyotis subflavus)
These bats have inhabited the tunnels of Mammoth Cave for millions of years."
Owl Species in Mammoth Cave National Park
by Emma Moody, History major, Fall 2019.
"Mammoth Cave National Park is home to dozens of predatory birds. Three,
possibly four of which are owls. This illustration includes four species of owls, including:
1. Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, present in the park
2. Eastern Screech Owl, Megascops asio, present in the park
3. Barred Owl, Strix varia, present in the park
4. Northern Saw-whet Owl, Aegolius acadicus, probably present in the par
These incredible animals are incredibly valuable to the ecosystem and need to be
protected because they are part of nature’s pest control team, keeping rodent
populations level and under control."
Common Mudpuppy and Cave Salamander
by Nicole Crosby, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019
The Hoary Bat AKA Lasiurus cinereus
by Hunter Garrett, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.
"Mammoth Cave is home to all kinds of interesting animals. Animals in this habitat
happen to include different species of bat, including Lasiurus cinereus, a bat with
quite a few interesting physical traits. This bat, whose body is covered with fur that
often comes in light and/or grey tones, has the unique ability to swoop down to
capture its prey without making a sound. This can be a very useful tactic, especially
when it flies through its deep, dark cave home, looking for insincts like moths for its
diet. I believe this bar to be a standout among the creatures living in Mammoth
Cave, and it is my privilege to share this interest of mine with the rest of WKU and beyond."
Stephen Bishop, Mammoth Cave Explorer
by Hailey Bossert, Advertising major, Fall 2019.
The Food Chain of Mammoth Cave
by Clayton Roederer, Visual Studies major, Fall 2019.
"While it was one much greater, Mammoth Cave is presently home to a modest
ecosystem of bats, such as the Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus). Like most bats,
Little Brown Bats are insectivores. In the case of Mammoth Cave, this diet is
mostly satisfied with the cave cricket, or Rhaphidophoridea. The bats give back to
the ecosystem in their feces, which is one of the main dietary staples of the
Grotto Salamander (Eurycea spelaeus)."
Ed Bishop; Follow His Footsteps
by Kristen Kendrick-Worman, Fall 2019.
Shrews of Mammoth Cave
by Sarah Wolf, Visual Arts major, Fall 2019.