SOLENODON

also called Alamiqui, either of the two surviving species of ratlike Caribbean mammals composing the family Solenodontidae, order Insectivora. Head and body length is about 28 cm (11 inches), and the naked tail is nearly as long. Solenodons have tapering, whiskery snouts and rather large, round ears. They feed mainly on invertebrates, which they dig up with their strong claws. Their saliva is toxic. The Haitian solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus) lives in stony forests of northeastern Hispaniola; the species has become endangered as a result of land development and deforestation. The rare Cuban solenodon (Atopogale cubana, sometimes S. cubanus) occurs only in the Holgun locality and is protected by law.