Animals That Live in Dark, Cool Places

Many animals allover the world live in cool, dark places. Because these places are frequently found in caves or underground, they offer both shelter and protection from possible predators. In general, troglobionts (animals that live in caves) and fossorials (animals that live underground) choose these environments for their dark, cool characteristics.

  1. Bats

    • Most types of bats are very sensitive to cold and hot weather and can't live in places that are too cold or too hot. Because bats are nocturnal, they spend the day sleeping. Needing a safe place to hibernate during the day, they choose cool, dark places and roost in large colonies. Bat colonies can be found in hollow trees, empty buildings, mines, caves and wells.

    Spiders

    • Spiders don't like to be disturbed and for that reason prefer cool, dark places to spin their webs. Spiders such as the deadly black widow can often be found in sheds and basements or under rocks and porches. Although most types of spiders aren't aggressive, they will bite if they feel threatened.

    Salamanders

    • Salamanders are amphibians that divide their time between land and water. When on land, they prefer cool, dark and damp places. Because salamanders don't have lungs, they breathe through their skin and avoid the sun to prevent it from drying. Salamanders can be found under logs, in caves, under moist soil, and in other cool, dark places.

    Snakes

    • Snakes are ectotherms, which means their body temperature depends on their surrounding environment. Because they're unable to regulate their own body temperature, they favor cool, dark places to hibernate and are inactive during very hot seasons. Snakes have been known to live under porches, around cool pipes and under fallen trees.