Frost Cave Isopod, Caecidotea rotunda

Cave Lake is one of four places in the world that is home to the Frost Cave Isopod, Caecidotea rotunda. In 2007 the Ohio Department of Natural Resources sponsored survey of Ohio caves brought Dr. Horton Hobbs III from Wittenberg University and others to survey Frost Cave. One of the most unique caves in Ohio and holding world significance, Frost Cave is also home to the rare plant Sullivantia sullivantii discovered in 1848 by Louis Sullivant, son of the founder of Columbus, Ohio.

Thought to be destroyed by the time our YMCA purchased Cave Lake, Dr. Hobbs helped Cave Lake staff craft a strategy to protect the cave and hopefully the isopod. Dr. Hobbs is elated that the 2007 survey counted 39 isopods, the most ever in his more than 25 years studying Frost Cave. Clean Ohio, who invested $1,283,000 toward the purchase of Cave Lake to preserve the property's natural treasures, has a concrete example of success.

Dr. Hobbs writes

I appreciate your efforts to control access to the cave. Your directive to restrict traffic apparently has really paid off with the recovery of a population [Frost Cave Isopod] that was on the brink of being extirpated in that locality. I applaud your efforts.