Blue Peripatus

 

Anthony Hitchcock

February 2006

 

The peripatus was found in the boulder choke in the upper levels of the cave. It was about 6m below the surface and in total darkness. The animal was about 20mm long, 2mm wide and a dusty blue colour with a white head. I sent pictures to Dr Mike Picker at the Zoology Department at UCT. He thinks it could be Peripatopsis balfouri, which is closely related to the cave peripatus, P. alba. Peripatopsis balfouri has been recorded from Bats Cave and under logs in the valley in front of Wynberg Cave. Mike is about to commence a detailed revision of the peripatus because very little is known about them. He believes more species might be discovered as a result of this study.