Orange Elephant Ear Sponge

Photo: Pauline Walsh Jacobson · CC BY

Massive plate-form colonies carpet the cavern ceiling and side walls, exploiting the cave's dim light and steady water flow to filter-feed year-round. Their spongin skeletons form the primary structural habitat for sponge brittle stars and cryptic goby species. These colonies can exceed 2 m across and represent decades of uninterrupted growth — a testament to the Guanahacabibes reserve's protection.