Category:Cave

Caves are cavities occurring in rock or [[[ice]] and being of sufficient size to admit creatures of at least medium. A cave may be nothing more than a short tunnel that hardly quits the light of day or an immense complex consisting of uncounted chambers, shafts and tunnels. A cave may support a complex ecosystem. Flora and fauna reliant upon the light of day may be found within the mouths of caves. Plants become ever rarer, fungi become the dominant flora, and nocturnal fauna become the rule as the mouth of the cave is left behind and the light fades away. Fungi are the lone flora and fauna that rare, if ever, quits the caves becomes the rule as the mouth of the cave is left far behind and perfect darkness reigns.

deeper caves, . In the transitional zone that never knows conditions brighter than those of twilight, where

where fade away light dependent flora becomes scarce and nocturnal fauna

At its entrance settler may be taken by creatures adapted to life l

dwelling above ground may take settle and even lair. As the light

entrances into the underworld. A cave may have a depth of just a few feet or may lead far from the light. A cave that does not lead far is a natural lair for any creature than can manage to hold it against competitors for the shelter that it affords. The further a cave leads the more complex its ecosystem is likely to be, with many of its inhabitants existing in tight symbiotic relationships. Bats and vermin flourish in caves.

	A natural cavity in rock, large enough to be entered by people. May be water filled. May also be blocked partly or fully by sediment or ice. Commonly formed by solution in Limestone. Caves also form in many other rock types, and by many other processes.