Three forms of vertebrates are commonly found in caves – fish, amphibians and bats, although they are either accidental or using them for shelter. It is thought there is not enough food for them to survive as troglobites in UK caves.
Fish
Bullheads (Cottus gobio) and blanched brown trout (Salmo trutta) are often found in caves in Britain but there are no records from caves in Devon, probably due to the lack of large stream passage.
An eel (Anguilla anguilla) has been caught in a bait trap set in the lake in Pridhamsleigh Cavern. Eels have been reported to travel for short distances overland, on damp grass at night during their migration to the sea. They have been found in concrete drains and it might have managed to wriggle into the lake via a connection with a surface stream.
Amphibians
Common Frogs (Ranus temporaria) can be found underground, but presumably are accidental visitors and often look thin. They can be found a long way underground, presumably lost and will eventually starve. Common toads (Bufo bufo) have been found in the Berry Head caves, Brixham.
There are no reptiles found in caves in the UK.
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