Geology and biology of Caracol Creek Coon Cave in San Antonio, Texas explored again.

Caracol Creek Coon Cave is one of the many forgotten caves of San Antonio, Texas. A lot of information has been documented about this cave online and offline, not so much the history. This news article will explain the Geology, biology, and history behind Caracol Creek Coon Cave. This cave also is knows as 1604 Cave and Little Caracol Creek Coon Cave.

Caracol Creek Coon Cave is located immediately adjacent to Loop 1604 & Military Drive West. The cave itself is located alongside Loop 1604. (Ref: Reddell, 1993)

Caracol Creek Coon Cave has a heavy fire ant infestation among some karst features despite the area being partially developed. Caracol Creek Coon Cave is occupied by the endangered cave beetle, Rhadine infernalis which is also known as R. infernalis. R. infernalis is a species of ground beetle. The species of Cicurina (Cicurella) loftini inhabits two caves including Caracol Creek Coon Cave. Ants and beetles are the insects which inhabit Caracol Creek Coon Cave. (Ref: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2012-02-14/pdf/2012-2195.pdf)

This species of Cicurina (Cicurella) loftini is known only to inhabit two caves including Caracol Creek Coon Cave. Caracol Creek Coon Cave is just one of those two caves Cicurina (Cicurella) loftini are known to reside in. (Ref: https://www.edwardsaquifer.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2004_ReddellCokendolpher_CaveSpiders.pdf)

A diversity of native and a few non-native species exist around Caracol Creek Coon Cave. The invasive grass Bothriochloa ischaemum and herbaceous plants (L.) Keng (King Ranch bluestem), Gray (hogplum), Colubrina texensis (Torr. & Gray), and Quercus fusiformis Small (Texas live oak) also cave be discovered when looking into this cave. (Ref: https://www.inhs.illinois.edu/files/9313/4218/9741/ZahniserEtAl2011InvasiveLeafhopperBalclutha_EntNews_v121n1p132-138.pdf)

Not many know this factual bit of information but Caracol Creek Coon Cave was formed out of Austin Chalk. This lithology was an important factor in development for this cave. An unnamed tributary from the east cuts deep into the Austin Chalk. This tributary leads to and underground creek which is the width of Caracol Creek Coon Cave’s groundwater drainage basin. Drainage within the cave moves to the area of lowest floor elevation, southwest of the entrance. (Ref: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/R2ES/TX_Karst_Veni_2002_Bexar_Inverts_Delineation_of_Zones.pdf)

Caracol Creek Coon Cave is located at Loop 1604 & Military Drive West, San Antonio, Texas, US 78245.