The Devil's Hole: A Home for the Rarest Fish in the World

Deep within Death Valley National Park lies Devil's Hole, a small cave housing the rarest fish in the world - the Devil's Hole pupfish. These tiny, one-inch fish have lived isolated in their unique habitat for thousands of years. The hole itself is roughly the size of a living room, measuring 72 feet long and 12 feet wide. The pupfish live in a geothermal pool with crystal clear, warm water that remains at a temperature of 92 degrees year-round. This small ecosystem is the smallest range of any vertebrae species on the planet. The pupfish, named for their playful behavior, have survived and evolved in this isolated environment for centuries, and the small number of them has never exceeded a thousand. The cave holds many mysteries and has fascinated adventurers, including infamous cult leader Charles Manson. Although a tragic diving incident occurred here in 1965, the Devil's Hole remains a remarkable and captivating natural marvel.