Download Species of the Day: Hispaniolan Solenodon

© Jose Nunez-Mino, Durrell
Species of the Day: Hispaniolan Solenodon
Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org
www.thelastsurvivors.org
Help Save Species
www.arkive.org
The Hispaniolan Solenodon, Solenodon paradoxus, is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. It is a large shrew-like animal and one of very few
mammals capable of producing toxic saliva, which it injects into its invertebrate prey through
grooves in its incisors. Mainly found in the Dominican Republic, it also clings on in Haiti’s
Massif de la Hotte, and occupies a range of habitats from coastal dry scrub up to highelevation pine forest.
The Hispaniolan Solenodon represents a remarkable amount of unique evolutionary history,
diverging from other living mammal groups some 75 million years ago, before the extinction
of the dinosaurs. It is now threatened by widespread forest destruction through charcoal
production and clearance for agriculture or urban development. It is also under pressure from
predation by feral dogs and other invasive species.
The Dominican Republic’s network of protected areas offers some protection to the
Hispaniolan Solenodon’s remaining habitat. A recently initiated project is conducting field
research to assess the species’ status, threats and specific conservation requirements.
Species of the Day
is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership:
IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife
International, Conservation International, NatureServe and
Zoological Society of London.