Exploring Talus Spring Cave in Austin, Texas.

Talus Spring Cave is one of the lesser known secluded caves of Austin, Texas. Not too much information can be found out about Talus Spring Cave. Similar to how not much information can be found out about Eluvial Cave. This news article will explore and explain what Talus Spring Cave is.

Talus Spring Cave is a cave located in a cliff face 900 feet above ground. To enter this cave, one has to enter through a short crawlway which transcends through a narrow square of talus blocks, leading into a shelter that is about 3 feet in height and is 15 feet in width. The length of this cave extends 15 feet. There are talus mounds which can be found inside of this shelter/cave. Talus Spring Cave is home to a small perennial spring. (Ref: ftp://ftp.austintexas.gov/GIS-Data/WCD/WCD/Req/The_Caves_of_the_Balcones_Conservation_Plan.pdf)

Talus Spring Cave has a species of crustacean containing the amphipod Styogbromus bifurcatus. Stygobromus bifurcatus has been found in 8 Texas counties including Travis County. (Ref: wimberleywatershed.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Zara2011_JWFinalReport.pdf)

[Stygobromus bifurcatus has been found in eight Texas counties including Bell County at Anderson Springs and Critchfield Springs; Coryell County at Tippit Cave; Hays County at San Marcos Springs; Kendall County at Cave-Without-A-Name and Schneider Ranch Cave; Lampasas County at Sullivan Knob Cave; San Saba County at Gorman Cave, Harrell's Cave, and an Unknown Cave; Travis County at Adobe Springs Cave, Armadillo Ranch Sink, Barton Springs (Concession Spring), Jack's Joint, and Talus Spring Cave; and Williamson County at Great Mud Cave.]

However Talus Springs Cave has never been known to contain species of concern or any federally listed endangered species. Talus Spring Cave is a cave which is owned by the Texas Caves Management Association. Talus Spring Cave is a TC-owned cave which is not a non-BCCP cave. (Ref: https://digital.lib.usf.edu/content/SF/S0/07/02/59/00001/K26-05539-appendix-i.pdf)