Toca da Boa Vista, Limestone cave system in Campo Formoso, Brazil.
Toca da Boa Vista is a vast cave system stretching over 100 kilometers through underground passages carved into dolomite bedrock. The network connects nine different entrances that lead to chambers and corridors where one of the largest concentrations of animal remains lies buried.
The cave was first scientifically explored in 1987, and subsequent mapping projects revealed its significance as one of South America's largest underground systems. This discovery sparked extensive excavation efforts that established it as a major site for studying prehistoric life forms in the region.
The cave served as a refuge for large animals over many millennia, leaving traces of that distant world visible today. Visitors can observe the animal remains scattered throughout its chambers while exploring, connecting them directly to the region's prehistoric past.
Visiting this cave requires experienced guides and specialized equipment due to steep vertical drops and complex passages at the various entrances. Travelers should be in good physical condition and prepared for challenging underground conditions.
Within the chambers lies a 6-meter-long bone from a prehistoric giant sloth, a remarkable find among many other paleontological treasures hidden in the rock. This extraordinary skeleton offers a rare glimpse into the size and nature of the animals that once inhabited these underground spaces.
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