Venomous mammal caught on camera

[Bhaisahab]

Source: BBC

Rare footage of one of the world's most strange and elusive mammals has been captured by scientists.

Large, and with a long, thin snout, the Hispaniolan solenodon resembles an overgrown shrew; it can inject passing prey with a venom-loaded bite.

Little is known about the creature, which is found in the Caribbean, but it is under threat from deforestation, hunting and introduced species.

Researchers say conservation efforts are now needed.

The mammal was filmed in the summer of 2008 during a month-long expedition to the Dominican Republic - one of only two countries where this nocturnal, insect-eating animal (Solenodon paradoxus) can be found (the other is Haiti).

/snip/


Dr Sam Turvey, a ZSL researcher involved with the programme, told BBC News: "It is an amazing creature - it is one of the most evolutionary distinct mammals in the world.

"Along with the other species of solenodon, which is found in Cuba (Solenodon cubanus), it is the only living mammal that can actually inject venom into their prey through specialised teeth.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7791989.stm

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There's a video of the little thing at the link above. It's cute and fuzzy looking. Certainly not as venomous as this mammal:

[Judi Lynn]

1. You've got that right. Very little in the whole world THAT poisonous.

Th is little solenodon is damned cute, as you say. What a sweetie. It would be a very bad mistake if these little fellers were driven into extinction.

There must be some way of guaranteeing them a decent kind of sanctuary. There's so little which hasn't been harmed far too much already.

[Piewhacket]

16. We need a solenodon sanctuary ...

how about Gitmo?

[whistle]

2. Of course Dick Cheney has had that venom-loaded bite.capability for years

[wizstars]

12. ...and is known to be rabid, needs to be put down or confined

for the health of the Republic

[theblasmo]

3. Hey!

He doesn't have a long, thin snout. The venom comes out through his eyes and mouth. And he's more of a reptile, to boot.

[Dr.Phool]

6. He has a long, thin secondary snout under his arm that spews buckshot.

lawyerious kapowius.

[HopeHoops]

8. Don't forget the laser beams that come out of his eyes. And then there's the nose...

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

4. D'oh!

I was going to post something like "Let's try to keep the Cheney jokes to a minimum."

:evilgrin:

[rasputin1952]

5. I like the little mammal a lot better than the reptilian cheney...

The long eared jerboa is cool too...:D

[Harry Monroe]

7. The Cheney Assaholeus is very venomous

Pure poison in his heart.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. I'd be more afraid of the one wearing corrective lenses.

And it is ugly as sin, too.

[grace0418]

10. Dick Cheney is NOT a mammal. He's pure evil in replicant form.

Very convincing, though.

[lonestarnot]

11. That thing pictured is not a living creature but a mechanical cyborg that was

embedded with every sort of lie and evil.

[indio55555]

13. For a second...

I thought how did Dick get down there.

[stuntcat]

14. *want*

:loveya:

[Political_Junkie]

15. funny!

That picture you got there is the first thought that came into my head when I read your title.
The little guy is real cute though.

[Barrett808]

18. Me too. n/t

[DCKit]

17. Sheeit. I thought it was another mAnn Coultergeist thread. n/t

[Runcible Spoon]

19. I see Oscar got loose and mated with an anteater!

LONG LIVE OSCAR

[goforit]

20. It looks just like a mole which lives in tunnels underground. Sound familiar?