| Cuban solenodon[1] | |
|---|---|
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| Specimen at theBronx Zoo, 1913 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Solenodontidae |
| Genus: | Atopogale Cabrera, 1925 |
| Species: | A. cubana |
| Binomial name | |
| Atopogale cubana (Peters, 1861) | |
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| Cuban solenodon range | |
| Synonyms | |
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TheCuban solenodon oralmiquí (Atopogale cubana) is a small, furry, shrew-like mammalendemic tomountainous forests onCuba. It is theonly species in the genusAtopogale. An elusive animal, it lives in burrows and is only active at night when it uses its unusual toxic saliva to feed on insects. Thesolenodons (family Solenodontidae), native to the Caribbean, are one ofonly a few mammals that are venomous.
The Cuban solenodon isendangered and was once consideredextinct due to its rarity. It and theHispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus) are the only surviving solenodon species; the others areextinct.
Although formerly classified in the genusSolenodon, phylogenetic evidence supports it being in its own genus,Atopogale.[3]
Since its discovery in 1861 by the German naturalistWilhelm Peters, only 36 had ever been caught. By 1970, some thought the Cuban solenodon had become extinct, since no specimens had been found since 1890. Three were captured in 1974 and 1975, and subsequent surveys showed it still occurred in many places in central and westernOriente Province, at the eastern end of Cuba; however, it is rare everywhere. Prior to 2003, the most recent sighting was in 1999, mainly because it is anocturnal burrower, living underground, and thus is very rarely seen. The Cuban solenodon found in 2003 was named Alejandrito. It had a mass of 24 oz (0.68 kg) and was healthy. It was released back into the wild after two days of scientific study were completed.
With small eyes, and dark brown to black hair, the Cuban solenodon is sometimes compared to ashrew, although it most closely resembles members of the familyTenrecidae ofMadagascar. It is 16–22 in (41–56 cm) long from nose to tail-tip and resembles a large brownrat with an extremely elongated snout and a long, naked, scaly tail.
Willy Ley wrote in 1964 that the Cuban solenodon was, if not extinct, among "the rarest animals on earth".[4] It was declared extinct in 1970, but was rediscovered in 1974. Since 1982, it has been listed as anendangered species, in part because it only breeds a single litter of one to three in a year (leading to a long population recovery time), and because ofpredation byinvasive species, such assmall Indian mongooses,black rats,feral cats, andferal dogs. The species is also thought to be threatened by deforestation as well as habitat degradation due to logging and mining. However, there is very little conservation attention given to the species.[5]
It is endemic to mountainous forests in theNipe-Sagua-Baracoa mountain range of eastern Cuba, in theprovinces ofHolguín,Guantánamo, andSantiago de Cuba, though subfossil evidence showed it once inhabited throughout the island. It is nocturnal and travels at night along the forest floor, looking for insects and small animals on which to feed.
This species has a varied diet. At night, they search the forest floor litter for insects and other invertebrates, fungi, and roots. They climb well and feed on fruits, berries, and buds, but have more predatory habits, too. With venom from modified salivary glands in the lower jaw, they can kill lizards, frogs, small birds, or even rodents. They seem not to be immune to the venom of their own kind, and cage mates have been reported dying after fights.
Cuban solenodons only meet to mate, and the male practicespolygyny (i.e. mates with multiple females). The males and females are not found together unless they are mating. The pair will meet up, mate, then separate. The males do not participate in raising any of the young.
