Description
The Ozark Cave Preserves are made up of three different properties protecting a combined 316 acres across northeastern Oklahoma. These preserves protect a limestone cave, rare bats and an underground stream where unique aquatic species can be found.
One cave site provides a safe habitat for a maternity colony of the federally endangered gray bat protecting more than 20,000 individuals each summer before they migrate to Missouri for the winter. These special bats were once abundant across the southeastern United States, but due to habitat loss, disease and other harmful factors, the gray bat has remained on the federally endangered species list since 1976.
These caves also protect the federally endangered Ozark big-eared bat, federally threatened Ozark cavefish, the Delaware County cave crayfish and the Oklahoma cave crayfish.