Solenodon

Solenodons are venomous, nocturnal Caribbean mammals with long, flexible snouts. The genus has two living species: the Cuban solenodon and the Hispaniolan solenodon.

Venom: A toxic secretion delivered by an animal through specialized structures such as fangs or spines. Solenodons are among the few living mammals known to deliver venom through their teeth.
Mammalian venom: Venom produced by mammals and delivered through specialized teeth or other structures. Solenodon venom is delivered through grooves in the lower incisors.
Hispaniolan solenodon: A venomous, nocturnal solenodon native to Hispaniola. Its range spans Haiti and the Dominican Republic, where habitat loss and introduced predators threaten populations.
Invasive species: Non-native organisms that spread and cause ecological or economic harm. Introduced cats, dogs, and mongooses prey on solenodons and alter their habitats.
Insectivore: An animal that feeds chiefly on insects and other small invertebrates. Invertebrates make up much of the solenodon’s diet.
Venomous bite: A bite that introduces biologically active toxins into another animal. Solenodons use their bite to subdue prey, including invertebrates.
Cuban solenodon: A venomous, nocturnal solenodon native to Cuba. Its rediscovery in the twentieth century overturned fears that the species had disappeared.
Habitat fragmentation: The division of continuous habitat into smaller, isolated patches. Forest conversion separates populations and reduces suitable solenodon habitat.
Mammalian evolution: The evolutionary history and diversification of mammals. Solenodons preserve an ancient branch of Caribbean mammal evolution.
Tactile whiskers: Specialized hairs that detect nearby objects through touch. Whiskers help solenodons probe dark, cluttered foraging sites.

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EulipotyphlaBroader topic: They are an unusual living branch of the order, distinct from its familiar families.