16/02/2020
Solenodons Have Survived for Millions of Years and are Incapable of Jumping 👏
We’re celebrating National Fossil Day by highlighting a species that has been on Earth for over 70 million years - the solenodon! There are two species of solenodon, the Hispaniolan solenodon, which is pictured here, and the Cuban solenodon. These two are believed to have split from one another about 25 million years ago, which is about the same time that early hominids diverged from Old World Monkeys. Unlike many species which change over time, the solenodon is thought to be virtually unchanged, with living individuals matching those found in the fossil record. These nocturnal critters will spend their days hidden away in burrows, crevices, or hollow trees, emerging at night to feed on insects, worms, and lizards. To aid in the capture of prey, the solenodon produces its own venom, which flows up through grooves in the incisors in its bottom jaw. After millions of years on the planet, the Hispaniolan solenodon is now classified as an endangered species, threatened by predators like dogs, cats, and mongoose, which have been introduced to the Hispaniolan solenodon’s homerange. You can help protect incredible species like the solenodon by opting to adopt a dog or cat to live indoors when looking for your next pet, reducing the number of domestic animals out on the streets. Photo taken at Parque Zoologico Nacional in the Dominican Republic.
