The Hispaniolan solenodon, also known as the agouta, is a small, furry, shrew-like mammal endemic to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, found in both the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Like other solenodons it is venomous and insect-eating, living in burrows and active at night; it is elusive and was not described until 1833, and while its numbers are stable in protected forests it remains a focus of conservation efforts. Its smaller sister species in the same genus, Marcano's solenodon, became extinct after European colonization, and the Hispaniolan solenodon and the rat-like Hispaniolan hutia are the only surviving mammals native to the island.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 3 Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status. Scientific Name Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceTypically dusky brown body with paler underside and reddish fur on the sides of the head, throat and upper chest 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source GBIF: Solenodon paradoxus
Source GBIF: Solenodon paradoxus
Source GBIF: Solenodon paradoxus
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Hispaniolan solenodon - Wikipedia
Lead paragraph, first sentence
The Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus)
Wikidata Q754041, P141 IUCN conservation status
least concern
Description
they are typically dusky brown over most of the body, with a paler underside and reddish fur on the sides of the head, throat, and upper chest
- lives in burrows on Hispaniola
View the Source2. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
3. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Solenodon paradoxus (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyEconomic Importance for Humans: Negative Impacts
Negative Impacts crop pest
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
View the Source 4. GBIF Species API
5. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)Mammal row, columns Activity-Nocturnal, Activity-Crepuscular, Activity-Diurnal
Solenodon paradoxus Solenodontidae 30 10 20 0 0 0 20 0 0 20 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 0 0 Ref_1
Row: solenodon paradoxus
3248 Solenodon paradoxus Solenodontidae 30 10 20 0 0 0 20 0 0 20 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 0 0 Ref_1 ABC 900 Ref_117 1
View the Source 6. Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of Liverpool: AnAge entry for Solenodon paradoxus
Human Ageing Genomic Resources, University of LiverpoolLifespan, ageing, and relevant traitsQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits
Maximum longevity 12.1 years (captivity)
Wikidata: Hispaniolan Solenodon
Wikidata Q754041, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: EulipotyphlaView the Source GBIF: Solenodon paradoxus
GBIFIn Biome: Tropical Dry Forest, Descriptions: biology_ecology
Usually good-quality forest in a variety of different primary tropical forest types, including dry, moist and wet broadleaf, and high-elevation pine forests
In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Descriptions: biology_ecology
Usually good-quality forest in a variety of different primary tropical forest types, including dry, moist and wet broadleaf, and high-elevation pine forests
In Biome: Tropical and Subtropical Coniferous Forest, Descriptions: biology_ecology
Usually good-quality forest in a variety of different primary tropical forest types, including dry, moist and wet broadleaf, and high-elevation pine forests
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