Cuba's history, culture and art are so rich and attractive that often little is said about its natural attractions, such as the beautiful Cuban faunaDespite not being so internationally recognized, the endemic animals of Cuba are unique both for their attractive appearance and for the peculiarities of their behavior.
In this new article on our site, we invite you to discover our top 20 animals of Cuba to get to know the ecosystems a little better that make up the largest island in the Caribbean.
Fauna of Cuba
Despite not having a territory as wide as many Latin American countries, Cuba reveals a very interesting biodiversity combining different ecosystems typical of the Caribbean region. Cuban fauna includes more than 700 species of fish, some 350 species of birds, 120 species of reptiles and about 50 different mammals. In addition, Cuba's endemic animals also include almost 3,000 species of molluscs, about 1,200 different arachnids, and more than 7,400 species of insects.
On this occasion, we want to introduce you to some endemic and emblematic species of this great Caribbean island, many of which are in danger of extinction. Read on to discover more than 20 animals from Cuba!
Tocororo
Nothing more fair than starting our top 20 with the tocororo or tocororo trogon (Priotelus temnurus), since it is thenational bird of Cuba It is an endemic species of this Caribbean island that highlights a striking plumage with the same colors that predominate in the Cuban flag: blue, red and white In addition, it exhibits a lively green in its feathers, reminiscent of the beautiful Cuban fields and forests.
Majá de Santa María
This species of boa constrictor is another of Cuba's endemic animals. These snakes stand out for their enormous size, being able to reach about 6 meters in adulthood. In addition, they have nocturnal habits.
The Santa Maria majá (Epicrates angulifer), also known as the yellow tank snake, usually lives in caves or it takes refuge in the holes in the rocks, and like all boas, they use their body to suffocate their prey by constriction and then gobble them up.
Polymita Snail
The Polymita Picta is one of the most striking endemic animals of Cuba , being recognized as the most beautiful snail in the world. It is a terrestrial mollusc that lives in trees and whose nutrition is mainly based on the consumption of mushrooms.
We could say that these Cuban animals are considered a symbol of the Baracoa region, in whose forests most of the its population. It does not usually adapt well to other environments because it is very sensitive to climatic changes, of salinity and from luminosity
Beetle Bird
Within Cuba's fauna we can highlight the zunzuncito (Mellisuga helenae), also known as the fly bird. It is considered the smallest bird in the world, since it hardly exceeds 60 millimeters in body length in adulthood.
This hummingbird endemic to Cuba is very difficult to spot in its natural habitat, because in addition to its tiny size, its population is limited to a small region of the Cuban archipelago, located between Cabo de San Antonio and Ciénaga de Zapata.
Cuban Crocodile
The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is one of the animals in Cuba in greatest danger of extinction Its population has radically decreased in recent decades due to hunting, as its skin and meat have a high value on the international market.
Currently, the last individuals of this species live in the southeast of Cuba, mainly on the Isla de Pinos and in the Ciénaga de ZapataThis is one of the smallest crocodiles in the world, rarely exceeding 3 meters in length, which feeds mainly on birds, fish and small mammals.
Jutia conga
The conga hutia (Capromys pilorides pilorides) is the land mammalof the largest size that lives in the Cuban archipelago, being popularly known as the giant rat. These brown rodents are typically 20 to 60 centimeters in length and weigh about 5 to 7 kg, with a relatively shorter tail than rats and mice (compared to their body size, of course).
On the Caribbean island, it is possible to find hutias as pets, since these Cuban animals are sociable and usually adapt well to life in captivity and the abundant supply of food.
Antillean Manatee
The Antillean manatee (Trichechu manatus), also known as the Cuban sea cow or siren, is the only aquatic mammalcompletely herbivorous found among the animals of Cuba. It is one of the few species of the order Sirenia that has not become extinct, being the protagonist of many Caribbean popular legends
The body of these Cuban animals is fusiform in torpedo shape, the flattened tail similar to a spoon, and the behavior shy are some of the manatee's most characteristic traits.
Almiquí
Cuban mammal fauna is not very varied, but it includes very peculiar species that are rarely found in other regions. One of the mammals that stands out among the animals of Cuba is the almiquí (Solenodon cubanus), a insectivorous nocturnal specieswhich usually measures between 28 and 30 centimeters and draws attention for its zigzag way of walking.
In the 19th century, it was believed that these typical Cuban animals were extinct, but in the 70's three specimens were captured, thus demonstrating that the species was still alive. But even today, it is one of the animals with the highest risk of extinction in Cuba
Chipojo verde
Among the animals of Cuba, we find several species of chipojos that live mainly in the forests and in the coastal regions of the archipelago. But the most emblematic species of Cuban chipojos is the chipojo verde (Anolis allisoni), an endemic reptile of the Cuban fauna whose body usually highlights aIntense emerald green color with a characteristic yellowish stripe at shoulder height.
However, these small tree-dwelling reptiles have the ability to change color to a browner hue to camouflage themselves in their habitatand mislead their predators, which is why they are popularly known as false chameleons.
Four-Legged Snake
Despite its popular name, the snake or four-legged snake (Diploglossus Delasagra) is actually a species of endemic lizard of the Cuban archipelago that is also among the most endangered animals in Cuba. This little lizard measures only about 18 centimeters and maintains nocturnal habits and shows a shy behavior, making it very difficult to spot in its natural habitat.
It is estimated that the surviving individuals currently live in Havana, Jaruco and in some regions north of Caibarién and in the Cayería. Therefore, despite producing a powerful poison, this fauna of Havana in Cuba has very rare accidents involving human beings, since they are quite secretive and hardly enter into conflicts that may harm their integrity.
Manjuarí
The manjuarí or Cuban alligator gar (Atractosteus tristoechus) is one of the most striking animals in Cuba, as it is considered aevolutionary relic by experts in marine biology, since practically all the species that have evolved together with it are already extinct.
This peculiar fish is an endemic animal of the Cuban archipelago and could be among the oldest freshwater species in the Caribbean region, inhabiting the Earth for more than 270 million years Currently, its distribution on the island is mostly limited to the Zapata Peninsula and the Isle of Youth.
Cuban Pygmy Frog
The pygmy frog (Eleutherodactylus limbatus), also known as the Monte Iberia Frog, is another of the Cuban animals that stand out for their its diminutive size, currently being recognized as the smallest amphibian in the worldGenerally, the pygmy frog measures only about 9 or 10 millimeters and lives mostly in the Cuchillas del Toa, although small populations can be observed in other regions of the Caribbean archipelago.
Cuban Funnel-eared Bat
One of the outstanding characteristics of the Cuban fauna is the presence of various species of bats, which live mainly in the caves of the archipelago. The Natalus primu species, popularly known as the Cuban funnel-eared bat, is endemic to Cuba and is in serious danger of extinction.
It is estimated that there are around 100 individuals left that inhabit the westernmost area of Cuba, on the Guanahabibes Peninsula. As the name suggests, the most characteristic feature of these insectivorous bats is their long funnel-shaped ears that give them a very well-developed sense of hearing.
Cucaracha
Generally, we don't usually think of insects (much less cockroaches) when we imagine the fauna of a country. However, more than 7,400 species of insects live among the animals of Cuba, and it is estimated that there are some 50 species of cockroaches endemic to the archipelago
Among them is the small Cuban cockroach (Panchlora nivea) that stands out a bright lime green color, measures about 25 millimeters and usually lives in trees such as bananas, palm trees and coconut trees. It is worth remembering that cockroaches have gained an unwarranted "bad press" as urban pests. But in reality, it is estimated that less than 1% of cockroach species live in contact with humans, the vast majority remaining in the wild.
Tomeguín del pinar
El tomeguín del pinar or semillero canoro (Tiaris canorus) is another emblematic bird of the Cuban fauna, which usually lives in the savannahs and in the pine forests, but which also adapts to the thickets of the Cuban coast. It is a small but very striking bird, which highlights its dark face with a black mask around its eyes and part of its forehead, and some feathers of a bright yellow hue on his neck.
Unfortunately, the custom of capturing them to cage them as "pets" or (worse yet) use the males in fights that simulate the old "fights" of cocks persists. However, the tomeguines of the pine forest do not adapt well to life in captivity and very few individuals manage to survive after being removed from their habitat.
Great Western Notched Toad
In addition to a long and peculiar name, the Great Western Notched Toad (Peltaphryne peltocephalus peltocephalus) features a really big head and a robust olive-brown body exhibiting wrinkles and arabesques in olive or yellowish tones
Its population extends through the regions of Pinar del Río, Matanzas and in the surroundings of the Sierra de los Órganos. Currently, they not only play a key role in the balance of Cuban ecosystems, but also collaborate to control insects in the agricultural areas of the archipelago.
Cuban Turtle
The Cuban tortoise (Trachemys decussata), also known as the Antillean tortoise or Cuban turtle, is a reptile native to Cuba and of the Isle of Youth whose population has spread to the Cayman Islands and Marie Galante.
This is a small turtle with semi-aquatic habits that highlights an earthy-colored back with shades ranging from brown to olive green, the yellowish plastron, green legs and tail with thin yellow stripes.
There are no official data on its conservation status, but due to territorial expansion it is usually considered a stable species.
Cuban Parrot
The Cuban parakeet (Aratinga euops), also known as the catey or Cuban parrot, is one of the animals of Cuba that is often more charismatic. Their appearance is similar to that of the famous Argentine parrot, with a predominantly green plumage, but they exhibit a bright red on their throat, on the front of their neck and on the cheeks. In addition, most Cuban parakeets have a white forehead and part of their crown. The population of this Cuban endemic bird has been declining worryingly in the last five decades, mainly due to its capture for the trafficking of exotic species.
Butterfly Bat
The butterfly bat (Nystiellus lepidus) is another of Cuba's most famous animals in the scientific field, as it is considered the the smallest bat and the smallest mammal in the world This endemic species of the Cuban archipelago not only measures more than 3 centimeters in adulthood and hardlyexceeds 3 kg of body weight. It is among the 27 known species of bats that inhabit Cuban territory.
You may also be interested in learning about other types of bats and their characteristics, here.
Cuban Macaw
The Cuban macaw (Ara tricolor) was a beautiful bird that belongs to the same family as parrots and stands out for its tricolor plumage with lively shades of red, yellow or orange and blue. Unfortunately, in the last century it has not been possible to find individuals of these species, so experts consider that may have become extinct at the end of the 19th century
Nevertheless, expeditions continue to be carried out in different regions of the archipelago in the hope of finding signs of life of one of the most beautiful and emblematic animals of Cuba.
Discover more about the diet of the green, blue and red macaw in the following post that we suggest.
Cuban Ferret
The Cuban ferret is a variant of the small Asian mongoose. Years ago, the small Asian mongoose was introduced in Cuba to try to control rodent plagues, what was not expected is that there would be a crossbreeding between both species.