The Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus)

The Hispaniolan solenodon is a rare and unique mammal belonging to the order Eulipotyphla, which also includes hedgehogs and shrews.

Description

The Hispaniolan solenodon is a small insectivorous mammal, measuring between 28 and 32 cm in length, not including its tail, which adds approximately 17 to 25 cm. Its weight ranges from 600 to 1,000 grams. It has dense fur, dark brown to black in color, with bare skin visible on areas such as the ears, snout, and tail, which lack hair. Its long, flexible snout allows it to forage in the soil in search of food.

One of the most remarkable features of the solenodon is the presence of venomous glands located in the lower jaw. The venom is delivered through a groove in the incisors—an extremely rare trait among mammals. This venomous ability is used to paralyze its prey, mainly insects.

Habitat

The Hispaniolan Solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus)

The Hispaniolan solenodon is endemic to the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. It primarily inhabits subtropical and tropical moist forests, but it can also be found in dry forests and mountainous areas. Its preferred habitat consists of dense forests where it can hide and dig burrows in the soft soil. However, massive deforestation has significantly reduced its natural range, confining it to more isolated and less accessible regions.

Lifestyle and Reproduction

The solenodon is a nocturnal, ground-dwelling animal that spends the day hidden in burrows or under piles of vegetation, emerging at night to feed. It is mainly insectivorous but may also consume fruits, small vertebrates, and even carrion. The solenodon uses its flexible snout to forage through soil and leaf litter in search of food.

In terms of reproduction, the solenodon has low fertility, which contributes to its vulnerability. The female gives birth to one or two offspring per litter after a gestation period of about 90 days. The young are born blind and are highly dependent on their mother during the first weeks of life. They are nursed and often carried by the mother, clinging to her teats located near the groin.

Ecological Importance and Threats

The solenodon plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as an insect predator, helping to regulate insect populations. In addition, by digging through soil in search of food, it contributes to soil aeration, thereby supporting the health of forest soils.

From a scientific perspective, the solenodon is of particular interest because it is one of the very few venomous mammals. It is also a survivor of a once more diverse group of mammals, making it an important subject of study for understanding mammalian evolution.

The Hispaniolan solenodon is classified as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The main threats to this species include:

• Habitat loss : Deforestation for agriculture, logging, and urbanization has greatly reduced its natural habitat.
• Predation by introduced species : Dogs, cats, mongooses, and rats, introduced by humans, are serious predators of the solenodon.
• Low fertility : The species’ limited reproductive capacity reduces its ability to recover from population declines.

The Hispaniolan solenodon is an extraordinary animal, both for its prehistoric appearance and its unique biological characteristics. However, its survival is severely threatened by human activities, and urgent conservation measures are essential to preserve this rare and valuable species.

Sources

• Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature (UICN). Fiche de l’espèce Solenodon paradoxus. Site de l’IUCN
• Nature Conservancy. Saving the Solenodon: The Most Ancient Living Mammal. The Nature Conservancy
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Solenodon paradoxus. NMNH