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Rare Venomous Mammal Filmed
Smivs writes "The BBC are reporting that footage of one of the world's most strange and elusive mammals has been captured by scientists.
Large, and with a long, thin snout, the Hispaniolan solenodon resembles an overgrown shrew. It can inject passing prey with a venom-loaded bite.
Dr Sam Turvey, a ZSL (Zoological Society of London) researcher involved with the program, told BBC News: 'It is an amazing creature — it is one of the most evolutionary distinct mammals in the world.'
Along with the other species of solenodon, which is found in Cuba (Solenodon cubanus), it is the only living mammal that can actually inject venom into their prey through specialized teeth.
Little is known about the creature, which is found in the Caribbean, but it is under threat from deforestation, hunting and introduced species.
Researchers say conservation efforts are now needed.
The mammal was filmed in the summer of 2008 during a month-long expedition to the Dominican Republic — one of only two countries where this nocturnal, insect-eating animal (Solenodon paradoxus) can be found (the other is Haiti).
The researchers from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Ornithological Society of Hispaniola were able to take measurements and DNA from the creature before it was released."
I find it bizarre that this thing needs to inject venom into a little insect. Usually venomous land animals eat prey that is at least their own size or larger. That's what the venom is for, it gives an advantage so the predator can take on large or otherwise dangerous prey.
"Solenodon paradoxus collects food by digging extensive tunnel systems under the ground, then foraging for insects and other invertebrates from the surrounding soil.
Foods eaten include: millipedes (Iulides), ground beetles (Carabidae), various orthopteran insects (Gryllidae, Tettigoniidae, Blattidae), earthworms (Lumbricidae) and various types of snails."
Strange that an animal loaded with venom doesn't go after small mammals or something.
"Solenodon paradoxus is described as a 'slow mover' and a 'clumsy runner with no agility in avoiding enemies and a poor means of defense'"
So what you're saying is, Solenodon paradoxus is the nerd of the jungle.
more interesting facts: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Solenodon_paradoxus.html
Health Insurance Quotes
We discovered a River Otter living in our pond. I was suddenly glad the little guy wasn't poisonous. He was enjoying one of my bluegill for breakfast this am. If he starts eating my bass he could become an endangered species. Cute little rascal, though.
Wonder why an insect eating mammal needs venom? Those must be some bad ass bugs he's hunting.
That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
A human life is superior to an animal's life.
Why?
Depends who you ask. I content we are because we are capable of intelligent thought and self-awareness. Douglas Hofstadter would tell you it's because we have a larger "soul" than animals (see this interview). More religious folk might tell you it's because God created us in his image and made the animals for our service.
It would be hard for one who has the moral conviction that human life is not superior to animal life to live a morally consistent life. How could they justify eating meat, that would be tantamount to eating a fellow human's flesh. How could they justify hitting an animal while driving, and continuing on their way. That would be equivalent to hitting and injuring or killing another person and just driving along on your way. How would they defend eating crops plowed by cows - that would be akin to slave labor. (Granted, that's not much of a concern in today's mechanized farms.)
So I ask you: why isn't a human's life superior to an animal's?
I could not justify my existence if I were a turkey farmer. Would I terminate myself? Undoubtably, yes.
> A human life is superior to an animal's life.
Fair enough, but is a single human life superior to a complete species of mammals? I can't say I'd care much if tritonman killed a solenodon. But let's go WAAAAAY offtopic and consider a hypothetical situation wherin he is able and willing to destroy ALL solenodon and the only way to stop him is to kill him (he is standing next to his custom built solenodon doomsday device and about to press 'on', you have a chance to take him out with your sniper rifle)? What if he wasn't exterminating solenodon but cows?