Why are cave-dwelling animals particularly vulnerable?

Cave-dwelling animals are particularly vulnerable because they are unaccustomed to outside influences. Many species that inhabit caves have evolved in isolated environments with stable conditions, leading to adaptations that make them highly specialized for their unique habitats. These adaptations can affect their behaviors, physical traits, and reproductive strategies, making them less resilient to changes or threats introduced by external factors, such as human activity.

For example, cave-dwelling animals might lack the natural instincts or defenses against predators, including humans. Since their environments are often stable and predictable, they may not have developed behaviors needed to cope with disturbances, such as noise or pollution, brought in by divers or other external sources. This lack of exposure to outside influences makes them more susceptible to stress, disruption, and decline in population when their caves are visited or altered by humans.