Trogloxene

Trogloxenes are terrestrial species which live close to caves or at the very entrance of the cave.^[1] Cliff swallows, cave swallows, cave swiftlets, reticulated pythons, rats, bats, bears, raccoons and humans are considered to be trogloxenes. They are also called cave guests, because they use caves, but cannot complete their life cycle exclusively within caves.

In addition, this group consists of such extinct animals as the cave bear, cave lions, cave leopard, cave hyena, cave wolf and some smaller ones that have been given these names because their bones and portraits have been found abundantly in the floors or on the walls of caverns in Europe and Africa. Indications trusted by geologists and archaeologists combine to show that these animals lived there in the latter part, at least, of the third interglacial epoch, and on through the fourth and last glacial advance, when, although central Europe was free from an ice cap, an almost Arctic climate prevailed, with much rain. This is what is known as the Reindeer Period, when humanity was represented by the Neanderthals.^[2]

During the Reindeer Period, many carnivores gradually adapted by increased fur and resorting far more than previously to the shelter of caves. None of those mentioned above is regarded as anything but a larger, more vigorous variety of the lion, leopard, wolf, spotted hyena, etc., except the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus). This animal was the most habitual in its use of caves, and occupied caves before people began to do so.^[2]

Notes

See also

• Troglobite
• Troglophiles
• Troglofauna
• Stygofauna
• Stygoxenes