Solenodon facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Solenodon Temporal range: Pleistocene–Recent PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓

Hispaniolan solenodon
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Eulipotyphla
Family:	Solenodontidae Gill, 1872
Genus:	*Solenodon* Brandt, 1833
Type species
Solenodon paradoxus Brandt, 1833
Species
† Solenodon arredondoi Solenodon cubanus † Solenodon marcanoi Solenodon paradoxus

Solenodons (meaning "slotted-tooth") are venomous, nocturnal mammals in the family Solenodontidae. They are burrowing insectivores

There is only one genus, Solenodon, They keep some primitive mammal characteristics. Their species resemble closely those which lived near the end of the age of the dinosaurs.

The two living solenodon species are the Cuban Solenodon (Solenodon cubanus), and the Haitian or Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus). The Hispaniolan solenodon lives in many habitats on the island of Hispaniola from lowland dry forest to highland pine forest. Two other described species went extinct during the Quaternary. Oligocene North American genera, such as Apternodus, have been suggested as relatives of Solenodon.

Images for kids

Cuban solenodon at New York Zoo
Skull of Solenodon paradoxus

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