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> Both Solenodon species are listed as critically endangered and are facing multiple threats from deforestation, increased human activity and predation by dogs,
by eric_h 9y ago
> Both Solenodon species are listed as critically endangered and are facing multiple threats from deforestation, increased human activity and predation by dogs, cats and mongooses.
They survived the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, but can they survive the Anthropocene?
As an aside, I think the venom adaptation is pretty fascinating. Given that their diet is primarily invertebrates, what purpose does the venom serve? Is it primarily for defense?
- Turing_Machine 9y agoSome species of shrews (including at least one found in North America) have venom as well. They use it to paralyze larger prey, which they can then eat at their leisure.