The Glen Chalk Caves, Bury St Edmunds facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1.6 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
The Glen Chalk Caves, located in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, is a very important natural area. It is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique wildlife. This special site covers about 1.6 hectares, which is roughly the size of two football fields. It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1986.
Contents
What Makes the Caves Special?
The Glen Chalk Caves are a network of underground tunnels. These tunnels stretch for about 200 metres, which is like two football fields laid end-to-end. They start from an old chalk pit. Inside this pit, there's also an old lime kiln, which was once used to heat chalk.
A Home for Bats
The main reason these caves are so important is because they are a perfect home for bats. Five different kinds of bats use the tunnels and the old lime kiln. They come here to hibernate, which is like a long sleep, during the colder months. Bats hibernate from September all the way through to April.
The area around the caves, with its plants and trees, helps to keep the caves just right for the bats. This means the temperature and humidity inside the caves stay steady. This steady environment is called a "micro-climate," and it's exactly what bats need for their long winter sleep.
Bat Species You Might Find
Some of the main types of bats that live here include:
These bats are very important to the local ecosystem. They help control insect populations, as they mostly eat insects.
Where are the Caves Located?
The Glen Chalk Caves are part of a larger area that is managed as a nature reserve. This reserve is found off Mount Road in Bury St Edmunds. Nature reserves are special places where wildlife is protected and people can often visit to learn about nature.
