Land animals
The biggest of the endemic species on the island is the Cuban hutia.
Growing to around 24 inches in length, you’ll spot these shy rodents in the forests and rocky areas of the island or on many authentic restaurants menus served as a stew with nuts and honey. Once the dominant predator of the West Indies, the shrew-like Cuban Solenodon is another native animal to south-eastern Cuba.
This nocturnal species is venomous, injecting poisonous saliva into their prey when biting them – but don’t worry, as while you should try to avoid picking up a painful bite, the Solenodon’s venom isn’t lethal to humans. These rodents are also very rare, and carry endangered species status.