The Agouta is an ancient creature that survived the end of the dinosaur age. It also was one of the very few mammals that were able to live through the colonization of the islands. At one time they were about the only predators on the island. This indigenous creatures reproduction cycle is very slow. They are only able to get pregnant 1 or 2 times a year, making only a few babies in their litter each time. They are born in burrows and can remain with their mothers for several months, which is quite a long time as compared to other insect eating creatures.
The Hispanola or Haitian Solenodons' numbers are dwindling rapidly. The colonizers of this island and the non-indigenous predators which include dogs and cats, found this small insectivore to be quite tasty. Now with the massive deforestation happening here, especially in the east part of the island, the solendons numbers are fastly dwindling . This along with their inability to reproduce rapidly has made this species almost extinct placing it at #6 on the endangered species list (3/08).
*As of April 1, 2008 the National Zoo has their first solenodon to show to the public. It was found in the El Sibao region of República Dominicana. This is the only one the zoo director has ever seen it is so rare. It will be on display soon.
The EDGE of Existence program aims to conserve the world's most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species by implementing the research and conservation actions needed to secure their future.
Check their web site to see what you can do to help. There is also more information on many endangered species of wonderful creatures of the world.
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Creatures of Dominican Republic, The Non-Human type
On the island of Hispanola in the country of Dominican Republic we do have some wild life to speak of. I'm not referring to the human-type of wild life, although this is here in abundance. The creatures, small and smaller are what we will include here. The endangered, extinct and the creatures that thrive on this tropical island. Here we have no large animals to speak of. Nothing that is going to eat you alive, except for the mosquitoes (which I think should be considered as being the new national bird), and the no-seeums, that I have no idea what they look like but they leave their itchy red mark on the flesh. There are no really dangerous creatures on our island, other than maybe a rare crock, a scorpion, or a spider. Most tourists in the cities never come across these things. Even the Dominican tarantula known as the Cacata is not an easy crawly to see. They usually don't live in the cities and they usually only come out at night. And in my opinion, the Dominican Cacata is a bit small and spindly as compared to most of the tarantulas you are accustomed to seeing on the TV or in pet shops. The island seems to be inhabited mostly by birds, of all types and colors and lizards, of many sizes and shapes.
There are the basic domestic animals not native to the island. Many cows, goats, chickens and horses. You may even encounter a rabbit that escaped from captivity and made its home in the countryside. There used to be wild boars but they are almost gone and have only been spotted in the mountains where there is little human population.
This furry small mammal creature looks like a mix between a large guinea pig and a small ground hog, with some rat-like looks thrown in for good measure.They are only found on the islands of the Caribbean where they are, for the most part, the last indigenous living land mammal. Their walk is more or a waddle. When they are frightened this slow waddle can change into a fast high hop. Using this hop or their good climbing skills is how they escape their predators. The Hutia have an almost naked tail that is a little scaly. They do have claws. Mainly vegetarian, they live on roots and fruits which they eat when they come out of their burrows, hollow trees, or nesting boxes where they live, after dark. The small creature closely resembles the rabbit having the same nesting and eating habits.
Picture/Image The Hispainolan Hatia
The Hispainolan Hutia (Capromyidae)
The Hutai is becoming increasingly rare. They have been hunted and have not been able to repopulate as fast as they are being taken. Also with their habitat slowly diminishing they are slowly disappearing from existence. These cute fuzzy creatures have been hunted since the Taino days. Their meat was considered quite tasty by the indigenous peoples and also by Columbus and his European gang. The Hutai does well in captivity and hopefully soon the Dominican people will start raising/farming them as a food crop. Let's hope that we humans can protect these little furry island mammals and once again see the Hispainolan Hutia romping and bouncing freely through the Dominican landscape
Cacata/Tarantula and more....
Dominican Republic does have it's share of spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, centipedes and other nasty, ugly yet amazing creatures. They are not readily seen, especially in the cities, but in the country they can be plentiful. They are nocturnal and are rarely seen in the daylight. .
I never really worried about them. They are not very aggressive. The one's I saw were more anorexic than this picture shown here (but I was told by a friend that he saw one that was so huge, it was the size of a kitten, running around in a warehouse). I try and remember to check the inside of my shoes before putting them on when I am in the country. When attacking a Cacata beware, they are crafty creatures. They jump and can play dead. When they do walk on your flesh they seem to almost stick to it. Many Dominicans that I have met think that if they do get bit by one they will surely die.
The Jaragua Sphaero, scientific name: Sphaerodactylus ariasae, fits on a Dominican Peso which is about the same size as a U.S. quarter. This is the smallest known reptile is found in Jaragua National Park.
Manatee (Trichechus Manatus)
Manatees range in color from gray to brown. Their 2 small front flippers and their flat, horizontal tails are used to move them along the sea and river bottoms. They have very small eyes and no outer ears yet they are thought to see and hear quite good. The average adult can weigh from 1,500 to 1,800 pounds and can measure ten to 12 feet in length. They can live from 50 to 60 years in the wild and much longer in captivity. They are vegetarians and are quite gentle and slow moving.
The Antillean Manatee (pictured above), a Dominican Republic native, is one precarious survivor from a insane killing from the old Spanish colonizers who believed that Manatee meat was an aphrodisiac and had the taste of seven different kind of meats. Still in peril from the actual population the Haitians poachers are still a major threat or this endangered species.It is a rare experience to have a close encounter with these elusive creatures, but it can happen while diving within the sanctuary.
Interesting find: The word Manati came from the original inhabitants of the island the Taino Indians. They gave this marine animal its name. it was considered to be sacred.
picture/ image A Manatee mother milks her young calf
Here are pictures and information on the bugs of the Caribbean. Insects. Butterflies. Mosquitoes. Worm-type creatures. Great pictures and very informative.
Real Life and Times in the Dominican Republic
Noseeums (No-see-ums) in Dominican Spanish: Mayes (may-gee's) (found near the sea) and Gegenes (found in the hills)
These nasty little creatures are true bloodsuckers. They are known as Punkies, Black Gnats, and Black Sand flies. (In Spanish: Moscas de Arena, Chaquistíes, Zancudos Negros). These loathsome flies come from the family Ceratopogonidae. They are teeny, tiny, biting, persistent little buggers that are, in my opinion, worse than mosquitoes. Less than ¼ inch long and can get through a normal window screen with no problem. No problem for them but big problems for their unawares meal that just may have your name on it!
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Since the noseeum cannot be seen (maybe this is why they have this nickname??) and the immediate bite can't be felt, they can make your blood a feast before you really know what's happening. Walking along ever so innocently one can easily stir up a swarm without knowing. If you're lucky they will swarm. In a swarm they can be seen, a dark foreboding mass. The only problem with this swarm is they can enter any open body cavity (i.e. the mouth and nose). If you happen to find yourself in a swarm I strongly suggest that you close these openings. That is, unless you want to be choking on their little, bitter tasting carcasses (yes, I know the taste well). If you have been swarmed move along quickly and get out of their territory, as they don't like to travel very far from their home. So, I say, when you see a black cloud of flying bugs coming toward you..RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!
These blood sucking mini vampires usually live in shrubs and ground cover. Along the water, marshlands and areas where it is damp. But they can be found just about anyplace. Even in the soil around your home or in your favorite potted plant. They are unlike mosquitoes as they do not need water to produce their offspring. Moisture will do just fine for them and their babies.
The female, the only gender of these vicious little buggers that sucks blood, will get you before you know what is happening. She needs the protein in your blood for her to be able to pro-create and be mommy to the next generation of these relentless creatures. She will find you by smell. As with any persistent woman out for blood, it is not easy to hide. This unrelenting female will suck the blood of anything that has this red substance flowing through their veins.
After taking the blood, of course they need to leave you a little gift so you remember them. Left behind is a little red blotch that is extremely itchy. Try not to scratch these red spots as they will just get itchier and could get infected.
The red spots can plague you for a few hours up to a week or more. Usually there are many blotches and you can look like you have some sort of disease before they turn from bright red to a light fading pink. Rest assured the blotches will disappear in time. All that will be left behind is the memory of what these minuscule, almost invisible vampire-ettes can do to reek havoc on your nerves and flesh. You will for sure remember to watch out for them in the future, even if you can't see them.
Be sure to use some type of insect repellant. Something with DEET is best. It is said that if you do not want to put those chemicals on your body that you can use Catnip, lavender, cedar, or even patchouli oils. Don't wear light colored clothing as this attracts bugs. They say (do you know who they are?) that eating too many bananas can attract biting bugs. If you eat garlic or eat lots of hot peppers (bugs and humans alike won't come near), take vitamin B or brewers yeast, this is supposed to help also. To ease the itch rub parsley, lemon balm, or the inside of a banana peel on the spot. (*NOTE-these are all things I have read and some I have tried myself. Use what is best for you. These natural remedies are not tested and may not work for you. I just like learning of the natural ways to rid myself of bugs and their after effects. This is probably why I always have bites on my body)
Interesting note - these tiny insects are found in abundance in amber. Seemingly attracted to the color of the fluid. The DMS extracted from these pesty creatures has been very helpful.
picture of a nosseum. (sorry, what did you expect with a name like noseeums)
Agouta (Hispaniolan solenodon) known as Juron or Solenodonte in Dominican Republic
This furry rabbit sized creature is from the genus Dasyprocta and can be found throughout the American tropics. The species found in Dominican Republic and Haiti is the Solenodon paradoxus.
This insect eating mammal is quite similar to a mole as it feeds and moves around mostly in the darkness and at night. It has a long body, with a small or sometimes non-existent tail, and small ears. This burrowing animal weighs about 25 to 35 ounces at adulthood. Its long narrow feet have some very sharp claws. The teeth of this wiry, dark brown mammal are its most unique part. These very unique teeth can inject venom into what ever it bites. This venom is injected through some small grooves that run down their small sharp teeth. They are the only mammals with this ability.
