Order

Eulipotyphla

Key region

Greater Antillean moist and dry forests

Range

Dominican Republic, Haiti

How this species is doing

Endemic to the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). Solenodon 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. The southern population has been further divided following phylogenetic and morphometric analyses by, with a third, distinct subspecies S. p. haitiensis recognised from the Massif de la Hotte area of Haiti. The species’ range has substantially decreased with following centuries of deforestation, particularly in Haiti, but the solenodon remains relatively widely distributed in the forests of the Dominican Republic today. It is classified as Least Concern, but there is ongoing habitat destruction and degradation across several parts of its range.

Pressure

The main threats are habitat loss due to agricultural encroachment, charcoal production, and urban development. The impact of exotic predators, such as dogs, cats and mongooses has not been quanitified, although feral dogs are known to have severe localised impacts on solenodon populations. Since the species had no natural predators before European colonisation of Hispaniola, and is a slow clumsy mover, it does not possess many defences against introduced animals.

Responses

The species is fully protected by law and occurs in a number of national parks in the Dominican Republic. However, national parks in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti are threatened by deforestation and encroachment for farming and charcoal production. The US Agency for International Development and the Nature Conservancy are currently working with local non-governmental organisations to improve protection and implement management plans for these parks (Parks in Peril programme). Two Darwin Initiative-funded conservation research and education programmes have recently been established focusing on solenodons in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti: “Building evidence and capacity to conserve Hispaniola’s endemic land mammals” (started 2009), and “Building a future for Haiti’s unique vertebrates” (started 2010). These collaborative projects represent a partnership between the EDGE programme, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, BirdLife International, the Sociedad Ornitologica de la Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic National Zoo, Societe Audubon Haiti, and in-country project partners.

Knowledge level

The species’ ecology is becoming better understood thanks to recent research efforts. It is nocturnal and finds shelter during the day by burrowing or hiding in hollow logs or crevices. Classed as an insectivore, the solenodon feeds mostly on spiders and insects found in the soil, although the diet may be supplemented with worms, snails and occasional plant material. The solenodon is one of the few species of mammal that can produce toxic saliva (along with some species of shrew). A special groove in the second incisor carries the venom to its prey. The reproductive rate of this species is low, with females producing two litters containing 1-3 offspring per year. The young stay with their parents for several months, while other offspring are born and raised. The lifespan of wild solenodons is thought to be relatively long, as one individual survived for more than eleven years in captivity.