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."

Comments

Wow

[ciaohound]

The BBC are reporting that footage of one of the world's most strange and elusive mammals has been captured by scientists.

What will slashdot be without Cowboy Neal?

Re:Wow

[Shagg]

The BBC are reporting that footage of one of the world's most strange and elusive mammals has been captured by scientists.

A Slashdot member with a girlfriend?

Re:Wow

[Talderas]

The mammal was filmed in the summer of 2008 during a month-long expedition to the Dominican Republic â" one of only two countries where this nocturnal, insect-eating animal (Solenodon paradoxus) can be found (the other is Haiti).

I'd be a little perplexed if Haiti didn't have the animal in it, IT SHARES THE SAME GOD DAMN ISLAND with the Dominican Republic.

Re:Wow

[Thiez]

Can it even kill us? I couldn't find any information about how dangerous the venom was. Even if a bite could kill a human, that wouldn't make these creatures more dangerous that many types of insects, spiders, and snakes, and these poor critters are extremely rare and both variants of solenodons live on islands.

Anyway, you can kill people too and you as an individual are (obviously) not needed in the food chain, nor is your family. If I were you I'd hope others hold life in a higher regard than you do.

Re:Wow

[Shakrai]

I'd be a little perplexed if Haiti didn't have the animal in it, IT SHARES THE SAME GOD DAMN ISLAND with the Dominican Republic.

Yeah, but if they had said it was native to Hispaniola most of us Americans wouldn't have a clue what they were talking about ;)

Re:Wow

[Skim123]

Anyway, you can kill people too and you as an individual are (obviously) not needed in the food chain, nor is your family. If I were you I'd hope others hold life in a higher regard than you do.

While I'm not in favor of wanton destruction of animal life, and conservation is a goal we should strive toward, but your analogy is specious. A human life is superior to an animal's life.

And if you disagree, you best think twice before you swat a fly, eat a hamburger, or enjoy produce or goods that were harvested, in part, by the forced labor of animals.

Re:Wow

[MikeDirnt69]

A lie?

Re:Wow

[UncleTogie]

Let me start out by saying that I'm playing devil's advocate here. I wear leather and love a good steak.

Depends who you ask. I content we are because we are capable of intelligent thought and self-awareness.

Dolphins, elephants, and other animals have demonstrated the same. While it may be at a lower level, it may not be that far off in OUR evolutionary history, either. Do they count?

More religious folk might tell you it's because God created us in his image and made the animals for our service.

If you read those biblical passages closely, you might notice that we were called to have dominion over the animal kingdom. Can't have dominion over something if you've hunted it into nonexistance.

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.

While it may not be superior, it wouldn't be inferior, either. I'd point at Native Americans for a good example of respect for nature, while not starving.

Just another point of view to ponder...

Re:Wow

[Shagg]

Mythical?

Re:Wow

[Anonymous Coward]

That makes you a "candidate for further research"

Re:Wow

[Shagg]

Despite sharing the same GOD DAMN ISLAND, economic and environmental conditions are extremely different.

Good point. These critters wouldn't want to stay if they couldn't get a decent job.

Re:Wow

[theodicey]

I'd be a little perplexed if Haiti didn't have the animal in it, IT SHARES THE SAME GOD DAMN ISLAND with the Dominican Republic.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if it were completely extinct in Haiti but hanging on in the Dominican Republic, considering the stark difference in the condition of the native forests.

Re:Wow

[fugue]

Hard sayin'. You haven't told us whether you have a girlfriend.

Only Venom-Injecting Mammal?

[PK Tech Guy]

Obviously they never met my ex-girlfriend...

snipe hunting

[skydude_20]

i told you it was real

Another venemous mammal

[nobodyman]

Large, and with a long, thin snout, the Hispaniolan solenodon resembles an overgrown shrew.

Hey, do we really need to resort to these petty ad hominem attacks when referring to Ann Coulter?

The sequel

[Killer Orca]

Solenodons On a Plane! Hmmm, doesn't have quite the same ring.

Nerdy Animals

[writerjosh]

"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

Terror of the Fire Swamp

[Linux_ho]

Rodents of Unusual Size? I don't think they exist.

First thought that comes to mind

[Catiline]

Just from reading this article, I feel like it's the lead in to a Monty Python sketch.

"And in this cage," (displays empty cage), "we can see the rare Caribbean poisonous shrew, which jumps out and injects its' prey with venom. Bites are instantly fatal, so we have to use extreme..."
[A brown blur crosses the screen and attacks the speaker's face] "AAAAAAARRRRRRRGH!"

This is why I lose sleep at night

[Badmovies]

I know that, somewhere, a crazy genetic engineer is holding one of those little venomous beasts in his hand and thinking to himself, "These are cool. I wish they were bigger!"

His office is right next door to the insane scientist who is trying to breed 40 lb tarantulas, and down the hall from the aquarium-hugging genius who wants to cross flying fish with piranhas.