Montana’s Non-bat Cave Life - Incidental Observations and Informal Studies by the Bigfork High School Cave Club

Abstract

The Bigfork High School Cave Club, as a result of their involvement with bat studies related to White Nose Syndrome, have accrued numerous incidental observations of wildlife use of Montana caves. Observations include use of caves by wood rats, bears, wolverine. mountain goat, bighorn, sheep, marmot, porcupine, and other species. The club has conducted two informal microinvertbrate studies, one noncollecting study of amphipods, planaria and isopods in caves on Glacier National Park and another statewide study for which macroinvertebrate specimens are being archived at Montana State University for eventual identification and further study.