various types of insects, mollusks, and spiders make their homes in this cave, and are easily visible with a lantern. the famous bats that give the cave its name are of course an integral part of the habitat as well.

the tijuca forest offers a number of different caves, and luckily for any curious visitor, they are all located close together. near gruta do morcego, for instance, are gruta do belmiro, gruta luís fernandes, and gruta bernardo de oliveira, among several others.