Shelta Cave facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shelta Cave |
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Shelta Cave
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 Shelta Cave
Location in Alabama
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| Location | Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Area | 4 acres (1.6 ha) |
| Established | 1967 |
| Governing body | National Speleological Society |
| Designated: | October 1972 |
Shelta Cave is an amazing cave and underground lake located in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama, United States. It stretches about 2,500 feet (762 meters) long! This cave is known for having a huge variety of living things, making it one of the most bio-diverse (full of different life forms) caves in the Appalachian Mountains.
The National Speleological Society owns and takes care of Shelta Cave. They manage it as a special nature preserve. Their main offices are even right above the cave! In October 1972, Shelta Cave was named a National Natural Landmark. This means it's a very important natural place in the U.S.
A Peek into History
Did you know that Shelta Cave wasn't always just a nature preserve? Back in the early 1900s, this cool underground spot was actually a bar and a dance hall! Imagine dancing in a cave!
Exploring Shelta Cave
The cave is carefully managed to protect its unique environment. Only members of the National Speleological Society can visit, and only at certain times of the year. This helps to keep the cave's natural balance safe.
Shelta Cave has three openings, which are like big holes in the ground called sinkholes. The lake inside the cave changes size a lot. During the rainy winter and early spring, it can grow as big as 7 acres (about 2.8 hectares)! But in drier times of the year, parts of the lake bed become dry and exposed.
Amazing Animals of the Cave
Shelta Cave is home to many special creatures. Scientists have discovered nine different species here for the very first time! One of the most famous is the Shelta cave crayfish. This crayfish is endemic to the cave, which means it lives only in Shelta Cave and nowhere else in the world!
