# Haitian Solenodon (*Solenodon paradoxus*) The Haitian Solenodon is a rare, ancient mammal with a long snout and venomous bite. It's one of the few mammals that can inject venom to catch its prey. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Forest - **Also known as:** Solenodon ![Haitian Solenodon](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425931/objects/6146.jpg) ## Appearance The Haitian Solenodon has shaggy, reddish-brown fur that is lighter on its belly, with a scaly, rat-like tail and a distinctive long, flexible snout. Its small eyes and tiny ears are partly hidden by its coarse fur, giving it a somewhat dishevelled appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Soricomorpha - **Family:** Solenodontidae - **Genus:** Solenodon ## Interesting facts - Solenodons are 'living fossils'—they haven't changed much in millions of years! - The Haitian Solenodon is found only on one island in the whole world: Hispaniola! - They are nocturnal animals, meaning they wake up and are active when most of us are asleep! - This mammal has a special groove in its teeth to deliver venom, like a tiny hypodermic needle! ## Special abilities - **Venomous Bite:** Haitian Solenodon has venomous saliva that helps them quickly subdue their prey, making it one of the few venomous mammals. - **Super Sniffer:** Haitian Solenodon can use its extra-long, flexible snout to sniff out insects and worms buried underground. - **Underground Explorer:** Haitian Solenodon has strong claws that help them dig burrows and search for food in the soil. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 28-33 cm - **Weight:** 0.8-1 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 49-50 days ## Diet & Feeding This creature loves to munch on insects and other small animals found hidden in the ground. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Earthworms, Spiders, Small lizards, Centipedes, Fruit - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Hispaniolan Stout Anole (*Anolis cybotes*) — Preys on these small lizards - **Eaten by:** [Small Indian Mongoose](https://www.snappit.app/explore/small-indian-mongoose) (*Herpestes javanicus*) — An introduced predator that hunts them - **Eaten by:** Feral Cat (*Felis catus*) — Feral cats are a significant threat ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [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 Avoid getting too close to a Haitian Solenodon in the wild as they have a venomous bite. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Haitian 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 Haitian Solenodon? 28-33 cm ### How much does Haitian Solenodon weigh? 0.8-1 kg ### How long does Haitian Solenodon live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Haitian Solenodon move? 8 km/h ### What does Haitian Solenodon eat? This creature loves to munch on insects and other small animals found hidden in the ground. ### Where is Haitian Solenodon usually found? Forest ### How does Haitian 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: [Haitian Solenodon: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/haitian-solenodon)