solenodon

Toxic Caribbean mammal

A solenodon is a rare, venomous mammal native to Cuba and Hispaniola, resembling a large shrew with an elongated snout.

Solenodons are among the few mammals capable of delivering venom through specialized grooved teeth.

Nocturnal and slow-moving, they are considered living fossils, having changed little since the age of dinosaurs.

Caribbean

Hispaniola

Caribbean island, two countries

CubaCaribbean island country
endemicNative to one area
islandWater-bounded land mass

relict · isolated · tropical · native · surviving

endangered

conservation

Preventing waste or loss

extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
threatenedExpressed intent to harm
vulnerableOpen to attack

protected · wildlife · preservation · survival · rare · declining · population · monitoring · sanctuary

venomous

toxin

Biological-origin harm agent

envenomationInjection of animal poison
salivaMouth's digestive secretion
bitePierce with teeth

neurotoxic · delivery · unusual · platypus · shrew · unique · defensive

nocturnal

darkness

Total absence of light

burrowAnimal's dug dwelling
denPrivate room or lair
secretiveInclined to conceal

elusive · hiding · cryptic · ground-dwelling · underground · reclusive · solitary · shy

insectivore

foraging

Seeking wild food sources

snoutBeast's protruding face
elongatedStretched beyond usual dimensions
proboscisElongated animal head appendage

flexible · grubbing · arthropods · worms · burrowing · soil-dwelling

anatomy

claws

Animal gripping nails

whiskersFacial sensory hairs
stockyShort and solidly built
quadrupedFour-limbed walker

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G