Most endemic species started out living outside of caves, in the leaf-litter on the forest floor. Later, cold weather came, and froze the places where they lived. In order to survive, those insects had to go into caves where it was warmer.
After a long time their bodies changed so they could live easily in those caves. We call that adapting. For example, most of these bugs don't need to see anything in a dark cave, so some of them go blind! Lots of them don't need colors either, so many are almost clear.
Caves are like a whole different world where these bugs can live together. Most endemic species eat bacteria and dead plants, but sometimes they eat other bugs, too. We need to be careful and make sure we don't put anything in their caves that they shouldn't eat, like trash, gum, or chemicals. Remember, the cave is their home, so don't trash it!
