Caves are formed by both chemical and physical reactions, and almost all cave formation is tied to water . Passages can be horizontally oriented , and others require special training and equipment to negotiate because of their vertical nature . Others contain delicate formations known as helicites . Flowstone and cave coral are found in adundance in Virginia's caves. Almost all caves support some type of ecosystem that extends from the entrance and its immediate environs , all the way through the cave.
Many species use caves for all or part of their lifecycles.
Bats are probably the most widely known cave inhabitant. Big Brown and Little Brown bats , and Eastern Pipestrilles are the most common Virginia bats. These bats are insectivorous, leaving the cave at night to use echolocation to hunt their prey. Other animals found regularly in caves are salamanders, spiders, and crickets. Caves in Virginia are protected by law.