[2][3] It may be distinguished from R. exilis, another karst-dwelling invertebrate that lives in Bexar County, by its thick rather than slender body.

It is likely to have evolved life characteristics similar to other cave-dwelling invertebrates, who have adapted to low levels of light and a lack of primary producers for food and nutrients.

[3][4][6] It is thought that R. infernalis is an opportunistic feeder, eating smaller or dead arthropods that live in the caves.

[6] In a study conducted by Veni and Associates (2006), R. infernalis was observed 23 times in 3 caves at Camp Bullis in Bexar County, Texas.

[5] Due to the small sample size, no conclusions can be made about regular periods of dormancy or activity for R.

[3][4][5] The karst habitat has stable temperatures and high humidity owing to the water that flows from the surface down through the cavities and interconnected voids in the limestone.

[4] These were designated according to geographical barriers that occur within the karst habitat that would potentially prevent interaction between troglobite populations.

[3][7] The ability of the karst habitat to move water and nutrients makes it vulnerable to unfavorable changes to the surface environment.

[4][7][8] Urbanization and industrial developments can degrade the surrounding habitat through disturbance of topsoil, removal of native vegetation and animal populations, and pollution.

[1][4][6] In the year 2000, ten of the known locations inhabited by the nine endangered Bexar County invertebrates including R. infernalis had less than 10.1 hectares (24.96 acres) of undeveloped area remaining around the caves.

[4] It is estimated that about 26% of known caves in Bexar County alone had been destroyed by filling, capping, and covering with construction and developments.

[4][6] The removal of native plant and animal communities in the areas surrounding caves is detrimental as they are the main source of nutrients for the karst ecosystem.

[1][3] The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in particular has been identified as a threat to karst invertebrates due to predation.

[4][6] Surrounding surface vegetation also acts as a buffer to temperature changes and helps to filter out contaminants in water that flows into the cave systems.

[6] More frequent droughts could disrupt normal water flow into the karst ecosystem, and higher temperatures could reduce humidity in the caves.

[6] Changes to the microclimate of these caves may prove detrimental to the R. infernalis population because karst invertebrates have evolved in conditions of constant humidity and temperatures.

[1] The tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) may negatively impact arthropod biodiversity and native plant communities.

[6] The recovery plan estimated that delisting of R. infernalis could be achieved in 20 years after its enactment,[6] but the species remains classified as endangered.