Solenodons are shrew-like insectivorous mammals characterized by a long cartilaginous snout, a scaly tail, and clawed, hairless feet. These nocturnal, burrowing animals belong to the family Solenodontidae within the phylum Chordata.
Female solenodons have two teats uniquely located near the rear of their bodies, close to the buttocks. They also possess specialized salivary glands that produce venomous saliva capable of incapacitating their prey or predators.
Often regarded as living fossils, solenodons have remained nearly unchanged for approximately 76 million years. Today, only two species survive, both native to the Caribbean islands: the Cuban solenodon (Atopogale cubana), also known as ‘almiquí’ in Cuba, and the Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus), native to Hispaniola.
When out for forage, solenodons use their snouts to sift through leaf litter and rely on echolocation, similar to shrews, to detect prey. However, they face numerous threats from predators, such as small Asian mongooses, black rats, feral cats, and feral dogs.
On average, they range between 11 to 13 in (28 to 32 cm) from nose to rump and weigh between 1.5 and 2.2 lb (0.7 and 1.0 kg).
The Hispaniolan solenodon, larger than its Cuban cousins, measures around 19 to 28 in (49 to 72 cm).
These shrew-like mammals are characterized by conspicuously elongated snouts, naked, scaly tails, and hairless, clawed feet. They have small eyes and party-naked ears that are mostly hidden in the fur.
While the Cuban solenodon has a rusty brown coat with black fur on its throat and back, its Hispaniolan counterpart is a shade darker and has a yellowish face. The latter also has a ball-and-socket joint at the base of its snout, allowing greater flexibility.
They have special skin glands in their inguinal and groin areas that produce secretions with a musky, goat-like odor. In females, the two teats are located posteriorly, almost on their buttocks.
Solenodons have nearly flat skulls, lacking a complete zygomatic arch and auditory bullae. The rostrum is supported by an extra bone called the os proboscidis.
The mandible contains salivary glands that produce venomous saliva, which drains through grooves on the second lower incisors. Their anterior upper incisor is enlarged, and the molars are zalambodont, with a characteristic V shape.
They have a dental formula of 3.1.3.3/3.1.3.3 = 40.
The 2 extant species, namely the Hispaniolan and Cuban solenodon, belong to 2 separate genera: Solenodon and Atopogale. The former also contains two extinct species, the giant and the Marcano’s solenodon.
A 2016 study revealed that solenodons diverged from the lineage of moles, hedgehogs, and shrews before the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event approximately 66 million years ago. Their evolutionary split from other mammalian lineages occurred even earlier, around 73 million years ago.
Initially, these mammals were thought to be the closest relatives of the African giant water shrew and the tenrecs of Madagascar. However, phylogenetically, they are found to be most closely related to true shrews (family Soricidae).
They are native to the Caribbean Islands and make their homes in the bushy regions of the forest (terrestrial).
Solenodons primarily feed on insects, earthworms, and other invertebrates but are also known to consume fruits, roots, and vegetables. Moreover, they also feed on vertebrates, like small reptiles and amphibians (as well as their decaying carrion).
In captivity, solenodons are fed with animal products such as eggs and milk.
Solenodons are primarily nocturnal and rest in caves, burrows, or logs during the day. They waddle awkwardly on the ground in irregular paths but run and climb pretty fast, almost without touching the ground with their toes. However, they are incapable of jumping.
The exact lifespan of these animals in the wild is unknown, but in captivity, the Cuban species can live up to 5 years, while the Hispaniolan species can survive up to 11 years.
These mammals can breed year-round, typically giving birth to one or two offspring. On rare occasions, they may produce three, but one usually does not survive due to malnutrition.
The mother nurses their young for up to 75 days, clinging to her teats for milk, unlike the males, who have no role in their upbringing.
While the Hispaniolan solenodon is primarily preyed upon by ashy-faced owls and the Stygian owl, the Cuban solenodon faces a threat from several invasive species, like small Asian mongooses, black rats, feral cats, and feral dogs.
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