| The Caribbean is known for its wildlife, and naturally | | | | impressive, though sadly in many cases the animals |
| Cuba is no exception. However, if you don't know | | | | of Cuba are equally endangered. |
| what you're looking for, you can miss an awful lot - | | | | Cuban Hutia |
| especially with the world's smallest humming bird, and | | | | The Cuban Hutia is the largest endemic land animal |
| a frog smaller than a penny are endemic to the island! | | | | that Cuba has to offer, growing on average to be |
| Here's a guide to the animals of Cuba that you should | | | | around 60 centimetres in length. If you're looking to |
| look out for on your visit to the island. | | | | catch a sight of one of these during your Cuban |
| Firstly, birdwatching in Cuba is reason to visit in itself, | | | | travel, you're best off looking around the forests and |
| and the Caribbean's avian life is both graceful and | | | | rocky areas of the island, where you may spy the |
| colourful. Here are some of the more memorable | | | | animal going about its daily business. It's an omnivore |
| birds you might see amidst Cuba's wildlife: | | | | and eats a combination of fruits, small reptiles, small |
| The Cuban Trogan | | | | mammals and leaves. |
| Known as Cuba's national bird, because it shares the | | | | Cuban Solenodon |
| same colours as the Cuban flag - blue, red and white. | | | | This insectivore was, like the Cuban Kite, once |
| Found in forests near streams, it is notable for its | | | | thought to be extinct, but has now been 'upgraded' |
| dark green head and wings, bright red belly and white | | | | to endangered status. You are unlikely to spy this |
| chest. They feed on insects, fruits and by hovering | | | | sample of Cuba's wildlife by chance, as it is largely |
| on flowers. | | | | nocturnal, and spends its days hiding in trees and |
| Bee Hummingbird | | | | under rocks, mainly in forests and thick shrub |
| The world's smallest bird is endemic to the island, and | | | | habitats. |
| a highlight of Cuba's birdwatching scene. Growing to a | | | | Cuban Boa |
| maximum length of 2.25 inches, it's typically found in | | | | Listed as near threatened, those with a fear of |
| valleys, gardens and forests but has been labelled as | | | | snakes shouldn't worry about running into one of |
| 'threatened' since 2000 due to a loss of its natural | | | | these by chance! Also known as the Cuban Tree |
| habitats. | | | | boa, thanks to the amount of time it spends up in |
| Cuban Finch | | | | trees, those looking to see one in the wildlife of Cuba |
| Another small species, the Cuban Finch is 3 and a half | | | | are best of searching in woodland and rocky habitats. |
| inches of impressive energy! Nesting in shrubs, it is | | | | Cuban Treefrog |
| best known for its beautiful yellow head, which males | | | | Also up in the trees (unsurprisingly) is the Cuban |
| can fluff up to attract mates! | | | | Treefrog. If you're hoping to catch sight of one |
| Cuban Parakeet | | | | amongst the Cuban wildlife, you will need to be |
| The Cuban Parakeet, once a common sight for those | | | | around at night, when it is active. It's carnivorous, and |
| birdwatching in Cuba has now become something of | | | | will eat pretty much anything it can catch, but even |
| a rarity thanks to destruction of habitat and trapping, | | | | though it's the largest species of treefrog in North |
| as it was regarded as a crop pest. | | | | America, that doesn't extend to humans! |
| Those birdwatching in Cuba will likely find it in | | | | Monte Iberia Dwarf Eleuth |
| grasslands with palms, woodland edges and in | | | | The text for its name in this article actually takes up |
| undisturbed forests. You should be able to spot it | | | | more space than the frog itself! Growing to just |
| easily enough - it is bright green with red spots on | | | | 0.8mm long, you could fit 2-3 of these endangered |
| the head, neck and breast with red on the bend of | | | | frogs on a single penny piece. It's small size and |
| the wing, and a white band of flesh around the eyes. | | | | endangered status isn't the only reason you're unlikely |
| Cuban Kite | | | | to spy one on holiday - they're also nocturnal, finding |
| In a distressingly familiar theme, the beautiful Cuba | | | | cover in the daytime. |
| Kite is classified as 'critically endangered' due to | | | | The animals of Cuba are simply breathtaking, and the |
| habitat loss. In fact, it was thought extinct until 3 | | | | endangered nature of many of the creatures means |
| Cuban Kites were found on the east of the island. | | | | that seeing some of the species is likely a once in a |
| The bird of prey lives in heavily forested land, and is | | | | lifetime experience. Whether you're in Cuba for |
| thought to feed mainly on snails. | | | | birdwatching, or simply taking in the history, an |
| Moving away from the opportunities for birdwatching | | | | exploration of the wildlife is a fascinating way to |
| that Cuba offers, the wildlife of the island is equally | | | | spend a few days. |