Mammal from the Age of the Dinosaurs: the Solenodon

[Ursa major]

Link contains video footage.

Scientists are in the Dominican Republic in an attempt to save one of the world's most strange and ancient mammals - the Hispaniolan solenodon.

This creature has been around since the time of the dinosaurs, and is the only mammal in the world that is able to inject venom through its teeth.

However, it is now under threat.

BBC News - Solenodon hunt: Face to face with a bizarre beast

 

[Sephiroth]

I was just watching that. Fascinating little beast.


The solenodon, I mean.

 

[J-WO]

I loved the way the Solenodon demonstrated its digging action with its left leg when the presenter mentioned its claws. You rarely get animals that media savvy.

Probably why its been around so long.

 

[Nik]

Saw it on TV this morning-- For something so *ugly*, it is remarkably cute. Helps to have venomous fangs, of course, of course...

My first glance said 'elephant shrew', then I realised it was as big as a rat, had the 'hedgehog' eco-niche in that area...

 

[Starbeast]

It's a good thing alot of these rodent type creatures exsisted and thrived thoughout millions of years, otherwise insects, arachnids etc. would have dominated the world. Rather than being mostly small bugs like today, they would have grown bigger and fiercer attacking larger prey. Take the common bat for an example, without them we'd be up to our necks in mosquitoes.

 

[Mouse]

Cute! I thought water shrews had venomous bites though? Or did I make that up?

 

[Ursa major]

I'd forgotten about shrews. According to Wiki, the Eurasion Water Shrew has venomous saliva.

Also according to Wiki, it's also the saliva of the Solenodon which is poisonous, but it seems to have grooved incisors to help the process.

Oh, and while looking this up, I saw:

The snout is flexible, and in the Hispaniola Solenodon, actually has a ball-and-socket joint at the base to increase its mobility. This allows the animal to investigate narrow crevices where potential prey may be hiding.

Ball and socket? Even Concorde's snoot had movement in only one plane....

 

[Mouse]

Flexible snout? Cool stuff!

 

[HoopyFrood]

Awww! (Sorry, animals do this to me. Even slugs and stuff). Lookit poking around with its nose.

And despite what the guy says, being lifted by my tail multiple times would make me angry! Although it was grooving around with the dinosaurs. After that, you wouldn't be bothered by much.

 

[Pyan]

And despite what the guy says, being lifted by my tail multiple times would make me angry!

Heh - Watch it get its revenge...

BBC News - Solenodon hunt: Mammal shows off its venomous bite

 

[Starbeast]

Heh - Watch it get its revenge...

Heh heh heh, cute little nipper.

 

[mosaix]

Take the common bat for an example, without them we'd be up to our necks in mosquitoes.

Perhaps the common bat should visit Scotland...

 

[Chinook]

A ratchet nosed Rat. Fascinating. I wonder if modern rats would be envious of that special feature.