Mammals

Genetic studies have revealed that the solenodons diverged from all other living mammals during the Cretaceous Period, an incredible 76 million years ago. This separation occurred at least as long ago as the branching of many entire mammalian orders (e.g. pangolins versus carnivores, or manatees versus elephants).

Fossil evidence shows that solenodon-like insectivores existed in North America 30 million years ago. They are thought to have originated from North American insectivores that colonised the Greater Antilles by overwater dispersal from Central America or the southeastern United States.

There are only two species of solenodon alive today, the Cuban solendon (S. cubanus) and the Hispaniolan solenodon (S. paradoxus). Two additional species, S. arredondoi and S. marcanoi, are known only from skeletal remains collected from western Cuba and southwestern Hispaniola respectively.

The two living solenodon species are believed to have diverged around 25 million years ago, when northern Hispaniola separated from eastern Cuba. This separation is comparable to the divergence between distinct mammalian families, for example, dolphins versus whales (30 Myr ago), or humans versus Old World monkeys (23 Myr ago). On this basis some researchers argue that the two species should be placed in different genera, with the Cuban solenodon being placed in a distinct genus, Atopogale.

The solenodon population in Haiti and the southern Dominican Republic may represent a distinct species, and has already been classified as the separate subspecies S. paradoxus woodi.

Head and body length: approx. 280-390 mm
Tail length: approx. 175-255 mm

The Haitian solenodon is roughly the same size as a large brown rat, although its relatively large head and long cartilaginous snout give it a shrew-like appearance. The majority of the animal’s body is covered with black to reddish-brown fur, which is paler on the underside. The nose, ears, feet and thick, scaly tail are almost hairless. The eyes are very small and the vision is underdeveloped, although the species has very good senses of smell and hearing. The forelimbs are larger and more developed that the hindlimbs, but all the feet have powerful claws for digging.

Endemic to the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). S. paradoxus paradoxus occurs in northern Hispaniola. S. p. woodi occurs in the south of the island, in the Sierra de Baoruco-Jaragua region of the southwest Dominican Republic, and also as an isolated population in the Massif de la Hotte region of Haiti.