Posted on 01/09/2009 9:18:47 AM PST by Ernest_at_the_Beach
By Rebecca Morelle
Science reporter, BBC News
See the footage of the rare, venomous mammal
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).
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 It is an amazing creature - it is one of the most evolutionary distinct mammals in the world 
Dr Sam Turvey, ZSL
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The researchers from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Ornithological Society of Hispaniola were able to take measurements and DNA from the creature before it was released.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
fyi
Re: venomous mammal
Al Franken?
I can't remember....is it okay to make Hillary Clinton jokes again?
venomous mammal?
At first I thought they were talking about Hillary.
Venomous overgrown shrew, right???
Crypto ping
” ... it can inject passing prey with a venom-loaded bite.
... Researchers say conservation efforts are now needed.”
Why?
ROFL!
“Little” is known about it... except that it is “threatened”.
Jackasses.
(aka Serpenthead)
they said “mammal”.
Thanks for the pings!
The creature has been nick named the “One Stepper”. As you are walking in the woods and come up upon one of them they freeze in their tracks, and as an autonomic response so do you. The creature stares at you, without moving, so much so you wonder if it’s alive. Then upon your next step it leaps onto your face and gouges out your eyes before your carcass hits the ground. Truly a horrifying creature. So, if you come up on one of them, remain frozen, for the next step is your last.
” ... it can inject passing prey with a venom-loaded bite.
... Researchers say conservation efforts are now needed.”
Why?”
Well, I would like to breed them for size and release them in Congress.
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