Endangered Inktober - Hispaniolan Solenodon by CiamethDay 18 - Hispaniolan Solenodon, Solenodon pa
Endangered Inktober - Hispaniolan Solenodon by Ciameth Day 18 - Hispaniolan Solenodon, Solenodon paradoxusIUCN Status: EndangeredSolenodons are a unique group of venomous, nocturnal, insectivorous mammals. They diverged from other modern mammal lineages around 73 million years ago, existed alongside dinosaurs, and survived the K-T extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous. Today, two species of Solenodon remain - the Hispaniolan Solenodon, found only on Hispaniola, and the Cuban Solenodon, found only on Cuba. Both are endangered. The Hispaniolan Solenodon has a long, flexible snout and an incredible sense of smell. They have terrible eyesight and hunt through scent and feel. Unique among mammals, the Solenodons have venomous salivary glands. The venom is injected through grooves on the incisors and used to incapacitate prey.Unfortunately, the Solenodons are not able to defend themselves against introduced mammalian predators like feral dogs, outdoor cats, rats, and mongooses. They are also trapped for human consumption due to food shortages. The Hispaniolan Solenodon needs more protected habitat, so it has space to thrive away from human habitation, and invasive species on the island need to be eradicated or controlled. -- source link
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