New animal species discovered deep inside Cambodia caves

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A recent survey of Cambodian caves has led scientists to discover several new animal species.

From December 2023 to July 2025, Fauna & Flora, working with Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment, investigated over 60 caves in the Battambang and Stung Treng provinces.

I recently heard about this amazing expedition to these super remote places, and it turns out they’re full of creatures you literally can’t find anywhere else. Apparently, some of this wildlife has been evolving in almost complete darkness for millions of years – it’s mind-blowing! It really makes you think about what else is out there.

Seven animals discovered in Cambodia

The team announced the discovery of seven new species, including three geckos, two tiny snails, and two millipedes, as detailed in a recent press release. One of these is a new millipede, named Orthomorpha battambangiensis, which was found in a cave in Battambang province. (It’s a bit of a mouthful to say!)

The survey wasn’t limited to creatures living in caves. Researchers also studied bats, reptiles, insects, and snails, using cameras to track the larger animals.

The research revealed the presence of unusual animals in the area, such as Sunda pangolins, Indochinese silvered langurs, and green peafowl. This discovery highlights how vital Cambodia’s caves are to the local ecosystem.

Lee Grismer, a herpetologist from the United States, highlighted the significance of cave systems. These environments aren’t just places where we discover new species; they actually help drive the evolution of new ones.

These separate, rocky areas function like natural laboratories, each driving evolution and selection in its own way. It’s as if nature is running the same experiment repeatedly in each location, independently. Importantly, these aren’t just places preserving old species; they’re actually where new biodiversity is being created.

Scientists believe this is only a first glimpse of the biodiversity hidden within Cambodia’s caves, and many more new species may still be waiting to be discovered.

2026 has already brought some amazing finds! Researchers recently rediscovered a rare wild cat with webbed feet – it hadn’t been seen in thirty years – and also identified a brand new dinosaur species in South Korea.

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2026-03-24 15:20