4) ~Cuban Solenodon~

More about 4) ~Cuban Solenodon~

**Cuban Solenodon (Solenodon cubanus)

Description:

The Cuban Solenodon, also known as the “almiquí,” is one of the planet’s most extraordinary survivors - a small, shrew-like mammal that seems to have stepped straight out of the age of dinosaurs. Scientists call it a “living fossil” because its lineage dates back over 70 million years, long before humans, before even most modern mammals existed.

With its elongated snout, beady eyes, and coarse fur, the solenodon might not look majestic, but it is a masterpiece of evolution - and one of only a handful of venomous mammals on Earth. It secretes venom from glands in its lower jaw, which it delivers through grooves in its sharp incisors - a trait more commonly found in snakes than mammals.

Mostly nocturnal, it scurries through Cuba’s dense forests under the cover of darkness, hunting insects, worms, small frogs, and even lizards. Its keen sense of smell and touch help it navigate the forest floor, and its flexible snout acts like a living sensor, probing the earth for prey.

Scientific Name: Solenodon cubanus
Common Name: Cuban Solenodon or Almiquí
Habitat: Moist forests and mountainous regions of Eastern Cuba
Diet: Insects, worms, snails, small vertebrates
Length: Around 28-32 cm (11-13 in), with a tail almost as long
Weight: Around 0.5-1 kg (1-2 lbs)
Lifespan: Estimated 5-7 years in the wild

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)
Estimated Population: Possibly less than 250 individuals remaining

Major Threats:

Predation by introduced species such as rats, cats, and dogs

Habitat loss due to deforestation and agriculture

Low reproductive rate and naturally isolated populations

Ecological Role:
The Cuban Solenodon is an important insect controller - its diet helps regulate insect populations that could otherwise disrupt Cuba’s fragile ecosystems. Its decline would mean the loss of a unique evolutionary lineage that has survived countless mass extinctions.

Evolutionary Significance:

The solenodon is one of the last members of a once-widespread group of primitive mammals. Its existence gives scientists rare insights into early mammalian evolution. Unlike most modern mammals, it retains ancient traits such as a jointed lower jaw and primitive bone structure.

Behavior and Life:
Solenodons live in burrows or crevices, often shared by mating pairs. They produce only one or two offspring at a time. Their secretive nature and nocturnal habits made scientists believe they were extinct until 1957, when a small population was rediscovered - a true miracle of conservation.

2025 October 31