#amnh_cuba

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Among the roughly 1,400 species of land snails found in Cuba, those from the genus Polymita—that’s Latin for “many stripes”—are unique to the island nation. These tiny gastropods are quite aptly known as painted snails because of the variety of vibrant colors of their shells.

A dazzling array of painted snail specimens can be seen in the special exhibition ¡Cuba!, including Polymita picta, P. sulphurosa, P. versicolor, P. venusta, P. brochuri, and P. muscarum, all from the Museum’s collection.

Read more about these beautiful snails on the blog.

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Cuba is considered the crossroads of the Caribbean, and the designation is especially true when it comes to migratory birds. Many species use the archipelago’s varied habitats—wetlands, forests, mountains, and even human-dominated areas—as a place to stop, eat, and rest on their long annual journeys between North and South Americas.

“Cuba has long loomed large in the consciousness of bird conservationists,” says ornithologist Leo Douglas, president of BirdsCaribbean, a group dedicated to protecting avian wildlife throughout the region. “The whole of the archipelago is important to migratory birds.” Above are just a few of the many bird species that call Cuba their home away from home.

Read more on the blog.

[amnhnyc]

Animals that have gone extinct elsewhere can sometimes survive on islands due to the isolation they offer. That’s the case with Cuban solenodons, insect-eating shrew relatives which are part of a mammalian line that has existed since the time of the dinosaurs. Known in Cuba as almiquí, solenodons secrete venomous saliva through a groove in their front teeth. The presence of this groove is an ancient trait, more often found in reptiles.

Today, only two solenodon species survive—one in Cuba and another on the nearby island of Hispaniola. That makes protecting their few remaining habitats for these mysterious mammals all the more important, says Gerardo Begué-Quiala, deputy director of Alexander Humboldt National Park, one of the solenodon’s few known stomping grounds.

Read more about solenodons on the blog. 

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Join us next Thursday for a lively dialogue focused on contemporary Cuba and its people, identity, and biodiversity. Tickets available here.

[amnhnyc]

These beautiful Polymita land snails, known as painted snails for their colorful shells, are found only in eastern Cuba, including throughout Alejandro de Humboldt National Park. The park, which stretches from the mountains to the sea, is among the most biologically diverse island sites on the planet. Cuba is home to at least 1,400 land snail species, more than 90 percent of which are found only here. ©AMNH/R. Mickens

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Join a conversation that explores Cuba’s remarkable biodiversity and its changing relationship with the United States. Policy expert Julia Sweig, anthropologist Ruth Behar, environmental lawyer Dan Whittle, and herpetologist and co-curator of ¡Cuba! Chris Raxworthy lead a lively dialogue focused on contemporary Cuba and its people, identity, and biodiversity. Moderated by conservation biologist and co-curator of ¡Cuba! Ana Luz Porzecanski. 

Join us on March 9.

[amnhnyc]

This open coral reef diorama in ¡Cuba! represents a string of jewel-like keys to the south of the main island of Cuba called the Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina). Here, silvery fish zip past banks of coral studded with colorful starfish, sea fans, and sponges. To protect this vital diversity, Cuba has created the largest marine reserve in the Caribbean. Coral reefs are some of the richest ecosystems on Earth, and on many Caribbean coastlines, they are in danger of disappearing. But in this protected area in Cuba, the reef is wonderfully alive. The diorama includes models of a hawksbill turtle, tiger shark, and spotted eagle ray. ©AMNH/M. Shanley

[amnhnyc]

Many Caribbean islands are so close they’re within sight of one another. That proximity means butterflies—which are a lot less fragile than they look—are often blown from one island to another. Cuba is home to more than 190 species of butterfly, many of them extraordinarily beautiful, but most are found on other islands as well. At least 35 are unique to Cuba. ©AMNH/R. Mickens