# Cuban Solenodon (*Atopogale cubana*) The Cuban Solenodon is a rare mammal found only in Cuba. It has a long snout, sharp teeth, and venomous saliva. This ancient creature is a fascinating part of Cuba's biodiversity. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Forest ![Cuban Solenodon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424767/objects/6033.jpg) ## Appearance The Cuban Solenodon has a long, flexible snout, small eyes, and sparse, coarse fur that is reddish-brown to blackish-brown with paler underparts. Its bare, scaly tail and prominent claws help distinguish this unique, ancient mammal. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Solenodontidae - **Genus:** Solenodon ## Interesting facts - It was once believed extinct for decades, then dramatically rediscovered in the wild! - Its scientific name, 'Atopogale cubana', hints at its unique, strange appearance and Cuban home. - This ancient mammal uses a venomous bite, making it one of Earth's rare toxic mammals! - Unlike most mammals, its venom flows directly from a gland into a groove on its second incisor. ## Special abilities - **Venomous Bite:** Its 'Venomous Bite' means the Cuban Solenodon can inject venom through grooved teeth that helps them quickly subdue their prey. - **Super Sniffer:** The Cuban Solenodon has an incredibly long and flexible snout that helps them sniff out hidden insects and worms underground. - **Echolocation Clicks:** With 'Echolocation Clicks,' the Cuban Solenodon can make high-pitched sounds that help them navigate in the dark, similar to bats. - **Digging Claws:** Cuban Solenodons have strong, powerful claws that help them dig through soil and leaf litter to find tasty insects and build burrows. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 28-35 cm - **Weight:** 0.8-1.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-11 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-3 - **Gestation:** 70-84 days ## Diet & Feeding This furry forager loves to eat insects and other small creatures found by sniffing and digging. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Spiders, Earthworms, Snails, Roots, Small Reptiles - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Dog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-dog) (*Canis familiaris*) — Introduced dogs pose a significant threat to solenodon populations. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Feral cats are efficient predators, impacting young solenodons especially. - **Eats:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — Solenodons actively hunt and consume crickets found in leaf litter. - **Eats:** [Rhinoceros Beetle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rhinoceros-beetle) (*Strategus aloeus*) — Its powerful snout helps unearth beetle larvae and adults from the soil. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate If you ever see a Cuban Solenodon, admire it from a safe distance and never try to touch or approach it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cuban Solenodon? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cuban Solenodon? 28-35 cm ### How much does Cuban Solenodon weigh? 0.8-1.1 kg ### How long does Cuban Solenodon live? 5-11 years ### How fast can Cuban Solenodon move? 8 km/h ### What does Cuban Solenodon eat? This furry forager loves to eat insects and other small creatures found by sniffing and digging. ### Where is Cuban Solenodon usually found? Forest ### How does Cuban Solenodon hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Cuban Solenodon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-solenodon)