Top 10 Most Famous Animals In Haiti

Haiti is a country in the Caribbean that is located on the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. While the topography varies, Haiti has a predominantly tropical climate and is home to various animal species, some of which are indigenous to the island. Terrestrial creatures such as insects, birds, snakes, and bats live in the deep forests, while marine life thrives in the surrounding waterways. However, wildlife in the nation is concerned about deforestation, increasing sea levels, and erosion. French colonists removed enormous swaths of forest land for a sugarcane plantation during the 17th and 19th centuries, while a population surge throughout the 20th century resulted in more deforestation. The following are some of the creatures that live in Haiti.

Animals In Haiti

Hispaniola Solenodon

The solenodon is a tiny, poisonous, burrowing animal that looks like a shrew. The rodent is exclusively found on the two islands of Cuba and Hispaniola. The solenodon, which was discovered in the pristine forest of southern Haiti in 1833, is a noisy and secretive species that is difficult to notice, especially during the day. Unfortunately, it is highly endangered, with only a few sightings confirmed in the last decade.

Hispaniolan Hutia

The Hispaniolan hutia is a huge rodent that looks like a guinea pig or a capybara. To evade predators, the species spends time in rock crevices and trees, and being herbivorous rodents, they are occasionally seen near fruit and nut trees. In Cuba, they are hunted for food and cooked in pots with honey and nuts. Guantanamo Bay has a healthy Hispaniolan hutia population because to an abundance of food and a scarcity of predators. The hutia is known as “banana rats” not because bananas are the species’ main diet, but because its feces are banana-shaped.

West Indian Manatee

The West Indian manatee is one of several types of marine fauna found in Haiti. The species, the biggest of the manatee family, was formerly listed as “endangered” but has subsequently been lowered to “threatened.” The West Indian manatee lives in the Caribbean, as well as South America, Central America, and Florida.

Greater Bulldog Bat

The larger bulldog bat is found in South America and the Caribbean and is one of the few bat species that consumes fish. The bat detects minor water ripples using echolocation then scoops fish from the water using a pouch on its leg. Shrimp and crabs are also part of its diet. The greater bulldog bat used to call Haiti home, but years of deforestation and habitat devastation have left the creature vulnerable.

Grey-crowned Palm-tanager

The grey-crowned palm-tanager is a vulnerable bird that lives in Haiti’s ten Important Bird Areas (IBA). Previously exclusive to Haiti, a small number of birds have moved to the Dominican Republic. Natural forest loss is a direct threat to the grey-crowned palm-tanager.

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Candy Cane Snail

The candy cane snail is endemic to Hispaniola and is only found in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The species is a land snail that can’t live underwater and can only be found in the Haematoxylum campechianum tree. The candy cane snail has a lovely, striped, multi-colored shell, making it popular for collecting and sale, however this is illegal.

American Crocodile

The American crocodile is not to be confused with the American alligator, which is found in the US state of Florida. Although the crocodile may be found in southern Florida, substantial numbers can be found all throughout Latin America, particularly on the island of Hispaniola. It is a strong predator that, in terms of size, rivals the alligator and other crocodile species. During the 1980s, the American crocodile was deemed threatened in North and Central America, but its population has since recovered.

Hispaniolan Ventriloquial Frog

The Hispaniolan ventriloquial frog is found in the cloud woods of Haiti’s Massif de la Hotte. Furthermore, the whole world population is restricted to Pic Macaya National Park. Deforestation and habitat degradation pose a huge threat to the frog, but environmentalists have failed to take notice.

Hispaniolan Brown Racer

There are around 27 snake species in Haiti, although none are toxic enough to threaten people. Snakes and people come into contact on a regular basis, and snake charmers are widespread in cities. The most common snake on Hispaniola is the Hispaniolan brown racer.

Hispaniolan Trogon

The Hispaniolan trogon bird is Haiti’s national bird and is only found in Hispaniola. After years of hunting and habitat devastation, the bird was on the verge of extinction, but conservation efforts in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century helped to recover its natural population. However, the Hispaniolan trogon bird faces an urgent threat from forest degradation.