BRANSON, MO--(Marketwired - Jan 28, 2014) - Hotels by Marriott are primed to keep you in comfort while you discover the wonders below the surface: from crystal formations to colorless creatures who live their entire lives in the pitch black of an underground cavern. A new infographic from Marriott offers a guide to some of the denizens who call these caves their home.

Some of the creatures you might encounter when exploring Missouri's 6,000 caves include:

  • Cave Crayfish: Although cave crayfish in Missouri aren't endangered, their subterranean-stream habitat is so specific that conservationists encourage careful protection of this decapoda (order of crustaceans), which can be blind, white or clear.
  • Grotto Salamanders: Generally beige or pink, these smooth-skinned cave dwellers are most often partially or completely blind.
  • Bats: Many Missouri bats are endangered, so it's important not to disturb the ones you find roosting in caves. They only use caves as daytime shelters and emerge each evening to eat many times their weight in insects.
  • Cavefish: Another endangered species, these translucent fish are in the same family as trout. Beyond blind, these fish have no eyes at all.

There's so much to discover in the Ozarks, above ground and below. Choose one of our Marriott Branson hotels for the best experience possible. You'll find spacious, comfortable rooms with first-class amenities, friendly staff and helpful tips on where to go and what to see. Many of our hotels have complimentary Internet service, swimming pools and free breakfast buffets. Use our helpful website to find the right hotel for you and this informative guide to discover what waits beneath the hills of the Missouri Ozarks.

About Marriott

Marriott is the leading lodging company with properties on 6 continents across 17 brands worldwide with an extensive brand portfolio sure to meet your needs and style. Learn more about Marriott's hotels, hotel deals and weekend getaways or visit Marriott on G+ at https://plus.google.com/+marriott or our official website at www.Marriott.com.

Infographic URLs

Discover Branson Caves

Smallin Cave Smallin Civil War Cave

Talking Rocks Cavern Talking Rocks Cavern

Cosmic Cavern Welcome to Cosmic Cavern

Fantastic Caverns Fantastic Caverns, America's Only Ride Thru Cave

Missouri CVB Southwest Caves and Caverns

Cave of the Winds Geological History A Colorado Wonder Millions of Years in the Making

Smoke Hole Caverns & Log Cabin Resort Cave Science: A Cave or a Cavern