(Didelphis virginiana), raccoons (Procyon lotor), and the rare-in-Alabama snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). Facilities Fern Cave is not open to the public in order to protect the endangered bats and ferns that reside within. The remaining portion of the Refuge is open to the public, although its use is limited due to the rugged topography. There are opportunities for hiking, photography, and wildlife observation (such as bats) at the refuge. Even though the bats leave the cave nightly for food, the refuge recommends against viewing the emergence, since the area around the cave entrances is steep and potentially dangerous in the dark; due to this, the park closes around dusk. Images See also List of National Wildlife Refuges References External links Fern Cave National Wildlife Refuge homepage Recreation.gov overview Protected areas of Jackson County, Alabama National Wildlife Refuges in Alabama Caves of Alabama Landforms of Jackson County, Alabama