Cave Cricket vs Mammoth Cave Cricket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cave Cricket Mammoth Cave Cricket
Scientific Name Ceuthophilus secretus Hadenoecus subterraneus
Order Orthoptera Orthoptera
Family Rhaphidophoridae Rhaphidophoridae
Size 12-20 mm 15-30 mm
Habitat Caves Caves
Diet Fungus Feeders Predators
Regions North America United States
Conservation Least Concern Vulnerable

Cave Cricket

A wingless, hump-backed cricket with extremely long antennae adapted for life in total darkness. It emerges from caves at night to forage on the surface.

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Did You Know?

Cave crickets can jump up to 60 times their body length, making them one of the most impressive jumpers relative to size in the insect world.

Mammoth Cave Cricket

A large obligate cave cricket and keystone species of Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. Its eggs are the primary food source for many cave predators.

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Did You Know?

It is the most important nutrient source in the Mammoth Cave ecosystem.