Life Inside the Sunless Ecosystem of Deer Cave
In Life Inside the Sunless Ecosystem of Deer Cave, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores Deer Cave in Borneo, the largest river passage in the world — so vast that a jumbo jet could fly through it. The cave is home to an astonishing 3 million wrinkle-lipped bats, which roost high on the cave walls and ceilings, away from predators. The bats' droppings (guano) form the foundation of a unique food chain within the cave, supporting massive populations of cockroaches, giant cave centipedes, and even crabs. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What role do the wrinkle-lipped bats play in the cave’s food chain?
A: They produce guano, which serves as the primary food source for many cave organisms.
Q: What types of creatures rely on bat droppings for survival in Deer Cave?
A: Cockroaches, giant cave centipedes, and crabs all depend on guano for nutrients.
Q: How is Deer Cave’s ecosystem different from most others on Earth?
A: It does not rely on sunlight but instead depends on nutrients brought in by bats.