the cave is populated by both the brown bat and northern long ear bat. the cave stream contains fish known as sculpin. snakes of the surrounding area include the copperhead, timber rattlesnake, rat snake, and kingsnake. over 115 species of birds have been identified by researchers at russell cave, which is located along the north alabama birding trail. although the site is now below the southern boundary of the porcupine range, their bones have been found in digs at the earliest occupational levels. the peccary, also hunted by former occupants, is no longer found in this region.