Elands River Mouth 3 Cave

ERM 3 - 40m

Still further upstream from Cave 2 on the eastern bank, and 10m above the level of the river, is ERM 3. This cave has a lofty entrance with a typical cliff collapse pile of rubble across the entrance. The passage is a vertical slot along a shale band. The floor slopes upward beyond the entrance while the ceiling remains at the same level.

About 1m from the floor of the cave, there appears to be a ‘tide’ mark. At one point along the tide mark, there is a protuberance of red clay. This ledge was the favourite roosting place of two Rhinolopus spp. As the ledge is very close to the floor, it did not seem the safest place, as it was well within reach of any predators. There were about ten Rhinolophus bats in the cave, and about five Miniopterus.