fifteen minutes from the beginning of the trailhead of the tijuca cave trail (caminho da grutas) - paulo e virgínia is one of the first cavern along the route. after a short hike to the entrance of the cave, it is possible to feel the colder air that comes from inside.

inside the cave, the subterranean environment - characterized by absence of light, small temperature variation and lack of chlorophyll in the vegetation - creates a very peculiar and fragile environment.

a diversified spelean fauna, or cave-dwelling species, develop in this environment - very peculiar animals, such as blind and albino fish, and other species particular to these underground caverns.