Karst Region
The Karst Region is characterized by sinkholes, caves, and a dense jungle. With all of its rocks and crevices, the karst region is home to the only native mammal of Puerto Rico: the bat!
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Scroll below to learn about the bats' plight, the crafty boas, and the research in this area.
Caves of Boas and Bats
Deep underground in a vast cave system lives 700,000 of the island’s only native mammal: the bat. Some fear it, others are disgusted, and some believe it could turn them into a vampire. But the truth is that bats are valuable members of the island and vital to the ecosystem. Although the bats are creatures of the night, their role and plight should be brought to the daylight.
Historically, bats gained a not-so-great reputation. But, scientists and other groups are working to change the narrative. Bats eat pest species like insects and rodents, pollinate vital plants, and are important for research in antibiotics. They are also a keystone species, which means they are very important to the ecosystem. If they are taken out of the complex ecosystem relationships, other species will disappear.
On Puerto Rico there are 14 species of bats. Thirteen of those species live in the karst region of the island. Why wouldn’t they? The area is known for its sinkholes which cause vast cave networks and dense forests. Some of these caves, like Cucaracha Cave, hold more than one species population.
But the bats are declining. In Puerto Rico, the land is destroyed for farming, ranching, and industrialization. This caves in their homes and destroys their roosts. A new threat has come in the form of wind turbines which bats are unable to avoid. A study found that wind turbines kill 600,000 bats a year.
Some groups want to do something about it. Ciudadanos del Karso (Citizens of the Karst, or CDK) purchased a 110-acre property called Mata de Plátano. The research station contains the Cave of Boas which holds 300,000 bats with five or six different species. The station is the first to solely work on bat conservation and research. Scientists hope it sets a precedent for the island, and spreads to some of the other busy caves.
At night, the cave comes alive as the bats flurry to find food. Species come out in waves as some need to live deeper in the caves than others due to temperature. The bats use echolocation - high pitched noises that bounce off objects and tell the bat where it is - to detect obstacles and prey.
And waiting on the rocky outcrop is a sneaky predator who is used to the routine: The Puerto Rican boa. The largest species of snake has no natural predators on the island and an easy way to catch food. It perches on the rock wall and grabs at the hundreds of bats exiting the cave. It would seem like this snake has it made.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. The boa is endemic which means it is only found on the island. The mongoose, an invasive mammal introduced by humans in the 20th century, has been slowly taking them out. They’ve also lost a lot of habitat from deforestation. Plus, their greatest meal - the bats - are decreasing in numbers too.
More land needs to be put aside for conservation of these two cool animals. There also needs to be more education on this species so people realize its importance. Spread the word on this relationship and be the voice for these animals who don’t have one.
Mata de Plátano
Mata de Plátano Field Station is located in the Karst region of Puerto Rico near San Juan. The station’s goal is to create a database of research that will help study the effects of habitat conversion from forest to agriculture.
Check out their page to learn more about the area and their research.
