Alabama Cave Shrimp

The tiny Alabama cave shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae) is a freshwater variety found only in Shelta, Fern, and Bobcat Caves in Madison County. First discovered in 1958, it was declared an endangered species in 1988. This specimen was photographed in Fern Cave in 2019.

Alabama cave shrimp, a rare endangered species
Courtesy of Matthew Niemiller, Creative Commons
Alabama cave shrimp, a rare endangered species