The almiquí a strange animal in danger of extinction
Hey, we are approaching the final days of this year and do not stop surprising ourselves with nature, since this section began we have talked about some common and others that are a little strange, sure in other editions we will address other topics related to nature, as animals are only a part of the links that make up our incredible natural life. In today's case, we will talk about a strange animal but like all cute. This is the almiquí an animal that lives in Central America, specifically in the islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, in the heart of the Greater Antilles.
One genus, two species
This species belongs to the genus solenodon, only two species are still alive and unfortunately, two species are registered as extinct, they are a true living fossil. These incredible creatures have belonged to these regions and have managed to survive all climatic changes and human interactions, they have remained intact since the Cretaceous, isn't it phenomenal?
This species is nocturnal and tend to be solitary and very elusive, in their environment is very difficult to find them in their common activities, their snout is somewhat elongated, very similar to an elephant's trunk, their vision is very reduced, due to their tiny eyes, contrasts with their powerful legs that have developed good claws, which they use to pull up roots, dig the soil, since their diet is composed mainly of worms, insects, frogs, small reptiles, and their favorite dish, the crabs.
It is approximately 53 cm long, including the tail. They are relatives of the shrews and moles which are much smaller than these. In the Dominican Republic, they are called solenodons.
Danger of extinction?
As I mentioned above 2 species of these incredible animals have disappeared. And today they are in imminent danger of extinction, for example the Solenodon cubanus, inhabited before the arrival of the Spanish colonists the whole island, today product of indiscriminate hunting and adding the urban development and the introduction of domestic cats and other rodents such as rats and mongooses, are confined to live in mountainous areas and in the easternmost part of Cuba where is the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park.
On the other hand, the species Solenodon paradoxus, is a critical state for conditions very similar to those exposed in its other species, Haiti, is a country that is devastated by intense deforestation since colonial times, and its inhabitants see in the solenodon an exotic and exquisite dish, adding greater drama, but not all is lost, Currently it is estimated that the healthiest populations are in the National Park of the Haitises, in the Dominican Republic.
In Self-Defense
The almiquís are animals that usually are calm and peaceful, only when they are attacked of unexpected form, they react of violent form, so they put to the defensive their tools of hunting, their powerful sharp claws, their response of immediate action is accompanied with a frizz of hairs, which also they use to intimidate their opponent, additional, they secrete a liquid that is very fetid and emit strong grunts and shrieks, showing their teeth, they use everything that they have to disposition to be able to defend themselves.
Their teeth have a system similar to that of snakes, they are perforated and saliva flows through them with toxic substances, which you use to immobilize your prey.
Thank you for reading 😍
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It's really amazing!
OMG incredibly cute animal, with its long snout.53 cm quite a big one I thought at first glance that they would have been much smaller. Great research.
its a rat?