Adaption to the Cave Environment
Troglomorphy is the process of getting adapted to the special conditions of caves.
The animals do this by
- Loss of pigmentation:
pigmentation is necessary as a protection against sunlight, especially the ultraviolett wavelengths.
In caves this protection is obsolete.
- Loss of eyes and learning to navigate blind:
In caves the possibility to find ones way is esential.
Possible alternatives are sound, tactile and smell.
- The ability to live with very little food:
In caves the source of food is very restricted.
Animals living her must be able to