The American Museum Journal 
Vou. VIII FEBRUARY, 1908 No. 2 
THE RARE INSECT-EATER, SOLENODON. 
HE illustration on the opposite page has been made from the 
AR mounted specimens of Solenodon, the skins and skeletons of 
‘ which were received at the Museum in June, 1907, as noted in 
the JourNAL for last October. The Solenodon is one of the rarest 
animals known and will soon be absolutely exterminated by the mon- 
goose, which was introduced into the island to get rid of snakes. 
The genus Solenodon is the sole member of the family Soleno- 
dontide, and only two species are known. One of these (Solenodon 
cubanus) is confined to the Island of Cuba, where it is known as the 
Almiqui, while the other (Solenodon paradoxus) occurs only on the 
Island of Haiti, where, according to Mr. A. H. Verrill, who collected our 
specimens, it is known to the natives as the “Orso,” “ Milqui,” “ Homi- 
gero” or “Juron.” The name “ Agouta”’ is also applied to the animal, 
while the English-speaking negroes from the British West Indies call 
it a “Ground Hog.’”’ The animal is classed with the Insectivora. 
The Solenodon is about as large as a rabbit and is singularly like the 
opossum in appearance. It has a long cylindrical snout, a long scaly 
tail and five toes on each foot, the forefeet being provided with long 
claws. The head and body are covered with rather thin coarse hair, 
which becomes thinner toward the rear and is nearly absent from the 
hind quarters. In color the coat, or pelage, is reddish-brown on the 
head and neck, changing to a rusty brown on the body. ‘The animal’s 
ery is a loud piercing peculiar note. 
In the American Journal of Science for July, 1907, Mr. Verrill has 
published a short description of the animal in the course of which he 
says, “In its habits the Solenodon resembles a hog, rooting in the earth 
and cultivated grounds, tearing rotten logs and trees to pieces with its 
powerful front claws, and feeding on ants, grubs, insects, vegetables, 
reptiles and fruit, and at times proving destructive to poultry. On 
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