Cuba’s Marvellous Mammals

Cuba is a country that is starting to attract more and more visitors each year. With its rich history, culture, and luxury resorts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Often overlooked by visitors to the country is the vast range of mammals you can see when exploring Cuba. We’re going to discover Cuba’s marvellous mammals and how to spot them at some of the country’s best natural parks.

Where to see Cuba’s mammals

One of the best destinations for wildlife spotting in Cuba is Guanahacabibes National Park. It’s located in the far west of the country and is home to multiple mammals and over 170 bird species. The beaches here are well worth visiting, as you can see four out of the world’s seven species of sea turtles.

If you are staying in Santa Clara or Trinidad, you won’t be far from the Topes de Collantes nature reserve park. Here you can kayak through the Rio Guayabo, allowing you to spot many of Cuba’s endemic mammals. Finally, consider travelling to Caguanes National Park to the northeast of Santa Clara, where you’ll be able to spot many endemic species among the archaeological sites the area is home to.

Marine Mammals in Cuba

Cuba is known for having some of the world’s top beaches, which are home to many species of marine life. For visitors to Cuba, there are many great diving and snorkelling spots, which will allow you to get up close and personal with some of the marine mammals that inhabit this part of the world. We highly recommend visiting Jardines de la Reina in the Caribbean Sea, which is located near Cienfuegos

Cuba’s Marvellous Mammals

When it comes to Cuba’s most impressive marine mammals, keep your eyes peeled for the West Indian manatee. It’s native to Cuba and Puerto Rico, thanks to the warm waters of the Caribbean. Manatees are a protected species, falling under the Marine Mammal Protection act, so you’ll need to ensure you are cautious when approaching them in the water. Dolphins can also be seen from time to time in the area, but you’ll want to ensure you are careful about booking dolphin swimming excursions due to the ethics surrounding this type of activity.

For the chance to see sharks and rays, head to La Jaula, located near Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Coco in Jardines de la Reina. These two sandy cays are packed with marine life, including mammals, snappers, turtles, and barracuda. They are popular spots for diving when staying on the island, and you’ll have the opportunity to see many of the marine mammals that call this area home on your day out.

Endemic Land Mammals in Cuba

Endemic mammals are those which typically only appear in one country, and they are an exciting part of travelling to new destinations around the world.

Cuba’s largest endemic rodent is the Cuban hutia, which is also known as Desmarest’s hutia. It’s believed that they survived in this area as they have no competition from other mammals of a similar size, but this wasn’t the case in other Caribbean countries. The Cuban hutias generally live in pairs, sometimes forming small groups. They enjoy living in the treetop canopies, but you may find them in holes in the ground or trees. Farmers in Cuba often consider them to be pests due to the high number that will take over their land.

Dangerous Mammals in Cuba

Cuba’s Marvellous Mammals

While many of the mammals we’ve discussed so far are relatively tame, the Cuban solenodon is certainly one to look out for. These primitive insectivores are dominant predators that haven’t evolved for thousands of years. They inject their venomous saliva into prey, which immediately incapacitates them. It’s always best to go on a guided tour in areas where they can be found, which is in the eastern part of the country in the Nipe-Sagua-Baracoa mountain range.

The bite of the Cuban Solenodon has been compared to a snake bite. Few people have been bitten by the animal as it bites only in self-defence. The good news is that the Solenodon stays away from areas such as Havana, Camaguey, Varadero, and Jibacoa, keeping you safe and sound on your trip. One of the best places to see them is the Sierra Cristal National Park, which first opened in 1930. You’ll often see the tracks of these nocturnal animals when visiting the park located near the city of Holguin.

The bottom line

As you can see, a trip to Cuba offers you many opportunities to see a variety of mammals throughout the country. While there are some dangerous mammals in the area, you’ll find that the majority of animals here are harmless but incredible to witness. Cuba is home to many endemic mammals, so it’s a great holiday destination for wildlife spotters from around the world. Make sure you factor in a day or two to explore some of the parks we shared above during your time here. There’s so much more to a trip to Cuba than just sitting at the beach, and we hope we’ve inspired you to explore the wilder side of the country during your upcoming trip.

For more information on Cuba’s stunning national parks, please see our helpful blog here: https://blog.lovecuba.com/the-10-most-stunning-national-parks-of-cuba/

Cuba’s Marvellous Mammals