They discovered that the small caves were actually a well developed subterranean system of caverns with lakes and rivers. Numerous rare endemic animals were also discovered, among them a unique scorpion. Not many species of scorpions live in Cuba; local farmers used to mention a different kind of scorpion that only lived in the mogotes and the scientists' research proved this to be true.
They discovered that the tiny caves formed part of a sophisticated network of caverns with water features, as well as a variety of rare animals. This included a unique type of scorpion that is rarely found in Cuba; local residents had previously mentioned another species of scorpion that was said to inhabit only the mogotes, and subsequent research proved this claim accurate.