Ogdens Cave Natural Area Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ogdens Cave Natural Area Preserve |
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 Ogdens Cave Natural Area Preserve
Location in Virginia
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| Location | Frederick County, Virginia |
| Area | 131 acres (53 ha) |
| Governing body | Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation |
Ogdens Cave Natural Area Preserve is a special protected area in Frederick County, Virginia. It covers about 131 acres (53 hectares) of land. This preserve is important because it protects a unique cave. Inside the cave, a part of Buffalo Marsh Run flows underground. This stream also flows above ground through the preserve.
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Exploring Ogdens Cave
Ogdens Cave is the longest known cave in Frederick County. About 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) of the cave has been mapped by explorers. This means it's a very long and winding underground world!
Amazing Cave Animals
Many rare and special animals live inside Ogdens Cave. These animals are invertebrates, meaning they don't have a backbone. Some of these unique creatures include:
- The thin-neck cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus parvicollis)
- Two types of tiny amphipods
- An isopod, which is a small crustacean
- The Appalachian springsnail (Fontigens bottimeri)
These animals survive thanks to the stream flowing through the cave. The water brings them nutrients. Other animals, like bats and crickets, also visit the cave. They help bring food into the cave's ecosystem.
Protecting the Land Above Ground
The land above Ogdens Cave used to be a farm. Now, it is slowly returning to its natural state. The people who manage the preserve are helping this process. They plant native warm-season grasses in the open fields. They also plant hardwood trees along Buffalo Marsh Run. This helps bring back the natural landscape that was there a long time ago.
Visiting the Preserve
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation owns and takes care of Ogdens Cave Natural Area Preserve. To keep the cave's delicate ecosystem safe, people are not usually allowed to visit on their own. However, sometimes special guided tours of the cave are arranged. These tours help people learn about the cave while keeping it protected.
