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THE CUBAN SOLENODON

Benoît PLOUX - 2010

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IdentificationClass Mammalia

Mass ~ 1kg

Size 60-70 cm

Discovery 1861

Preys snakes, frogs, insects, spiders, lizards, and crabs

Characteristic nocturnal burrower, living underground

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An EN species 1970 : presumed extinct, because no

collected since 1890 3 captured in 1974 and 1975 Rare everywhere:

predation by introduced predators (mangoose, cats)

habitat loss

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An amazing animal

One of the scarce venomous mammalSkin glands produce a goat-like smell

Long snout !

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ITS POISON

•Secretes poison from a gland under their teeth: its salivia is venomous

•Spread in the body of the prey after the bite

•The prey is subdued

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FocusAt the base of each of these incisors is a gland

Lower jawLarge groove on the lower incisor

=> lower jaw is used to inject venom into the prey

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !