Welcome to the world of Dragon Fang Cave!
This site is for fans of the novel The Mystery of Dragon Fang Cave
by Gary A Schuler
The novel is based upon a real cave that the Schuler family owns in northwest Arkansas. Our cave is also featured in the sequels: The KAVE Detectives and The KAVE Detectives: Of Diamonds and Dinosaurs
Here are the four landmark formations in the cave that lead Kirt to the treasure. These are real formations in our cave!
First clue: the Elephant's Foot
Second clue: the Pterodactyl
Close-up of the Pterodactyl head. It even has an eye.
Third clue: the Crocodile
Final clue: the Dragon
Close-up of the Dragon
As you can see, the actual dragon formation only has an upper jaw, so there is no open mouth to hide coins in.
Because of the prominent upper teeth, some old timers called the formation the Dragon Fang.
The dragon and one wing seen from afar.
Indian trail trees
These two trail trees are on our Arkansas land.
Oak tree near small cave being inspected by Timothy Schuler.
The Dinosaur Tree -- a huge sweetgum tree pointing to a stream crossing.
"Nose" on our oak trail tree.
Looking out of the spiderweb gate at the cave entrance.
The inside of a stalactite
This was broken off by vandals before we purchased the cave and was found lying outside.
It is illegal in all fifty states to damage or remove speleothems from a cave.
Many Ice Age mammal bones and teeth were found in our cave!
Teeth and possibly part of a femur from an extinct short-faced bear.
Close-up of the bear teeth.
Short-faced bear (specimen is not from our cave), showing size relative to humans.
Other Ice Age mammals lived in our cave: notably the Smilodon, or Saber-toothed tiger:
Our Smilodon skeleton parts and one canine are in a museum in Illinois.
Complete Smilodon skeleton (not from our cave)
Smilodon skull (not from our cave)
Photos from our cave. These formations and features were mentioned in the novel:
Crinoids
Chocolate and vanilla stalagmite
Cave salamanders
Small white formations that look like shark teeth
Flowstone
Dogtooth spar
Soda straws morphing into regular stalactites
Helictites (right hand side)
Crystal maze shelf
Calcite dome
Shield formation near ceiling
White stalagmite growing out of pool
"Nose" attached to wall with a booger hanging down
A forest of small soda straws
Wavy calcite collar around ceiling depression
Tall, straight cottonwood tree in Ice Canyon
Close-up of calcite dome
The long ribbon-like formation is cave bacon.
"Petrified tongue" that Vi found. Actually this is part of a mastodon tooth:
Bottom view
Top view
Formations on our cave ceiling that look like animal shapes or objects:
Turtle
Deer head and fish
Bone
Entrance to our cave
Bat roosting site on ceiling (dark area) and guano pile below:
Short-faced bear claw marks on cave wall with salamander crawling inside them. (Photo of a photo):
Native American artifacts found near cave sixty years ago:
Quartz crystal Clovis point found in Arkansas over fifty years ago in the Quachita Mountains:
Note: it is illegal to remove or disturb any archaeological material from a cave.
I am a flint knapper and have made many arrowheads and spear points and unusual shapes:
Obsidian spear point
I'm one of the few knappers who make bats
Bat knapped out of midnight lace obsidian
Horse head
Owl
Wolf head
After wild caving with son, Matthew.
The adventure of a lifetime!
Miscellaneous photos:
Author in cave
Underground boat ride
Pond below cave entrance
Lighted bridge over cave pool
Gorgeous formations in the Cathedral Room
Stalagmites growing on back side of ceiling slab that fell many, many years ago
Unusual speleothems
Tricolor bat
Small waterfall below cave entrance
Son, Timothy, in cave
Roses along cliff near cave entrance
Author by cave entrance
Rock that looks like a petrified wolf paw
Sweetwater biface
Interior of a geode
Stalactites start out as thin, soda straws with water drops flowing through the hollow tube. Sometimes the tube gets plugged or the water starts flowing on the outside, allowing a stalactite to form and grow. Evidently, the tip of this soda straw was plugged to allow it to form into a stalactite, then when the formation was somehow broken off the tip also got reopened. Very rare!
Note: it is illegal for anyone without the owner's permission to remove speleothems from a cave. Permission from the authorities was granted to me as owner to remove this previously broken off stalactite and use it for educational purposes.
Small stalactite found in stream during cave restoration.
The hole is where water drops flow through the stalactite.
The hole goes all the way through.
Our cave was mapped in 2008. Notice the Great Maze which has the Smilodon pit.
St. Beatus Cave in Switzerland with its stunning waterfall entrance. Cave is behind an old monastery perched on the cliff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I purchase the novels now?
The Kindle and paperback versions of all three novels are available on Amazon.
Is your novel in any stores?
Stay tuned for a complete list of stores and shops by summer 2024.
Can I tour your cave? Is it open for visitors?
In the future, it will open as a tourist attraction with a new owner. More details will come as they are available.
What are the rules for wild caving?
Never Go Caving Alone! It’s best to go with a guide and preferably with four to six people who are experienced cavers. Other safety guidelines are: have the right clothing and gear, be in good physical shape, carry three different light sources, and only go in caves that you have permission to enter and where someone knows you are. Watch the weather and never go inside a cave when rain is imminent or has just fallen -- you may be stranded by rising water or even drowned.