Endangered Species - Cuban Solenodon

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Latest era of excessive applied sciences and developing industries led our society to the new stage of evolution. However, moreover apparent advantages for civilization, the 20 th century introduced sure problems in life of our planet. Nature started suffering soundly from merchandise of human civilization. There's a great variety of elements that influence lower of population of various species (McGavin 13). One of the endangered species is Cuban Solenodon, very rare animal.

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There exist only two species of Solenodons - Solenodon cubanus and Solenodon paradoxous. Cuban Solenodon (scientific name - Solenodon cubanus) belongs to the household of Solenodontidae, Soricomorpha order, Mammalia class of Chordata phylum. This uncommon spieces (see Attachment 1) was uncovered by Wilhalm Peters in 1861. These small (round 50 cm lengthy) shrew-like animals live largely in Cuban Oriente Province. Since its discovery, Cuban Solenodon was mainly discovered on this space, being Cuban endemic (see Attachment 2).
Historic investigation has confirmed that species of Solenodon, the ancestors of contemporary Cuban Solenodon, were reasonably distributed animals around thirty million years ago (MacDonald 49). They lived within the area of moders North America. Nonetheless, the size of population was not estimated. Therefore, the spieces isn't young, having lengthy historical past of development. Unfortunately current inhabitants measurement of this animal could be very small. There were discovered solely several many years of animals ultimately of nineteenth century. In the period from 1890 to 1970 (Massicot) no animals had been cought. After that, few specimen have been caught in 1970-es and in 1999. Total variety of representatives of Cuban Solenodon discovered since its discovery equaled 36 animals. Nevertheless, only several years ago, in 2003, 37-th specimen was caught. Still there are not any accurate data on current population of this animal.

Solenodons stay in a wild nature and are protected by law. Hence, solenodons usually are not kept in Zoo parks because the animal is troublesome to maintain in captivity and is considered a threatened species. Though Cuban Solenodon is classified as endangered species, many biologists think that the small population measurement of this animal is conditionad by its lifestyle. Indeed, Solenodon cubanus is a nocturanl animal, mostly being energetic at night time whereas sleeping at daytime (Answers.com). Besides, solenodons live in burrows. These information are thought of by some scientists to be reasons for rarity of this animal, as it's fairly tough to seek out solenodon in wild nature. Moreover, copy of Cuban Solenodon could be very low. These animals produce maximum one litter per six months, having principally one offspring (sometimes two) per litter. Therefore, there exist pure factors conditioning small inhabitants and rarity of Cuban Solenodon. However, there are various other facts that affected the small population dimension of this species.

There may be very little recognized about pure occasions that triggered small inhabitants of Solenodon Cubanus. Nonetheless, some components and processes in twentieth century indeed affected its distribution. One of many causes is considered the slash of tropical forest for agricultural needs. So long as solenodons stay in wet forests, it was very harmful for their population. Besides, the introduction of some animals (mongoose, canine, and cats) caused decline of Cuban Solenodon population (Theusch). Being historically very unfamiliar with predators, solenodons can not struggle with these animals and defend themselves. Subsequently, the lower of inhabitants measurement of Solenodon Cubanus relies upon completely on numerous kinds of human activity.

Cuban Solenodon was for the primary time labeled endangered species in 1970. Current status of this animal can also be endangered, being within the Red Listing of Threatened Species. This species is protected by regulation and federal rules of many international locations, including the United States of America and Cuba. Unfortunately, the status of this rare animal and its protection doesn't make its inhabitants grow. On my view, very little can be performed now for saving this species from going extinct in addition to decreasing our activity on deforestation. I believe that folks will recognize the quantity of enormous harm they cause to the wild nature. And I sincerely hope that when we will see this little animal in a wild forest of Eastern Cuba with our personal eyes.

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