The solenodon, a rare and venomous prehistoric mammal, is the subject of a three year conservation study in the Dominican Republic, which is thought to be the last place on Earth the animal can be found.
First discovered in 1833, the solenodon is one of the planet’s most ancient animals; it is believed to have walked with the dinosaurs. It is also the only mammal to have a poisonous saliva. Similar to a snake, the solenodon injects venom into attackers through its teeth.
It is one of about five venomous mammals. Certain shrews are thought to have venomous bits and the male platypus has a poisonous spur on its back legs.
Described as a “living fossil” the strange, long-nosed creatures are nocturnal and very rarely seen by humans. It is now on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
“Its area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 500 square km, its range is severely fragmented, it is restricted to forest habitats, and there has been an observed shrinkage in its distribution and anecdotal information on habitat destruction and degradation within its range, and a decline in the number of individuals due to invasive species and persecution,” the IUCN stated.
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