Fauna: Cuba'a Animal Life

     Cuba's unique physiognomy and separation from other countries has influenced the islands fauna. The animal life in Cuba is similar to those in other countries of the West Indies. There are no large animals in Cuba. Cuba's animals have evolved into the smallest species in the world, such as the ant bird or "pájaro mosca" which is the smallest known bird; the butterfly bat which is the smallest known mammal; and the sapito, the smallest known amphibian. This is basically attributed to the islands size and distance from other countries in the region.

     There are three main faunistic distinctions in Cuba: vertebrated animals, which are few in species; river and sea mollusk, which are plentiful and consist of a variety of species; and insects, which comprises the largest quantity of species numbering in the thousands.

     There are over five hundred species of edible fish, and over three hundred bird species. Animal life throughout Cuba consists primarily of small reptiles: lizards and snakes; mollusk and fishes. The following categories present an array of fauna that is endemic to the island of Cuba:

Reptiles and Rodents
Fishes
Mollusks
Insects and Butterflies
Birds

Reptiles and Rodents

     There are some eighty species of reptiles in Cuba, and a wide variety of rodents. Cuban reptiles are not poisonous.

	The Jutía (Hutia), which is a large rat like rodent, can be found throughout the island. The largest jutía in Cuba is called the "Conga." Unfortunately, these animals are edible and are close to extinction. Other smaller jutías found on the island are the "Carabali" and the "Andaraz."
	The Iguana (Iguana) which is close to extinction on the island, and which once served as a main resource of nutrition to the native Cubans, is a common Cuban land reptile. The most common iguana in Cuba is small, approximately three to four inches in length, light green, and fast-moving. The Cubans call these large sized lizards "Chipojos" and "Chipojo Ceniciento". There is also a varied amount of lagartijas or lizards on the island, also called "caguayos" in different areas of Cuba. These reptiles serve a tremendous role in controlling the insect population since they live on small insects like flies and mosquitoes that are so abundant in tropical areas.
	In Cuba they're as an abundance of Cocodrilo (Crocodiles), especially in the muddy waters of the lagoons and at the mouth of most rivers. There are two species of crocodiles, the Crocodylus Rhombifer and the Crocodylus Americanus, commonly refered to as "caiman."
The Maja (Thick-bodied Snake) which is a non-poisonous reptile. The largest maja in Cuba is located in the town of Santa Maria with a length of about 9 feet. There are other, much smaller majaes in Cuba known as "jubos" which are approximately 3 feet in length. These are also non-poisonous snakes.

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Fishes

     There exists a wide range of fishes in Cuba's many rivers and lagoons. The most unique fish is the endemic fish "Manjuari, " a prehistoric fish that survives in the western part of Cuba, in a logoon called the "Laguna del Tesero." There is also an abundance of many small fishes such as the "Guayacon," which survive by feeding from larva and small insects, and the "Biajaca," popular among the "pescadores campesinos" or rural fisherman for its soft and sweet tasting meat, as well as trout or "truchas" that are common throughout the island.

     Tiburones or Sharks are very common in the Cuban waters. There are as many as thirty-five species of sharks, most are dangerous. Other dangerous fish in Cuba include the stingray, the manta ray, and the moray eel.

     There are over 900 different species of fish in the coastal waters of Cuba, of these over 500 species are edible. The most common are:
Cherna (Ruffle or Grouper) a salmon like fish,
Bonito (Stripped Tunny),
Atún (Tuna),
Pargo (Red Porgy or Red Snapper),
Serrucho (Swordfish)

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Mollusks

     Cuba has thousands of different marine, fresh and seawater, and land species of the mollusk family. Mollusks refer to animals that are covered with a hard shell. Most of the marine mollusks are edible, among the most common are:
Pulpos (Octopuses),
Calamares (Calamary or Squid),
Cobo,
Ostiones (Oysters),
Clams,
Cuttle Fish

     The land mollusks are extremely interesting and beautiful; most of them are endemic. Within the land mollusk species is the Polymitas Pictas, recognized as one of the world's most beautiful terrestrial mollusk. This mollusk breeds only in one place in the world, near the town of Baracoa in the Province of Oriente.

     As for crustacean, the most common are:
Langosta comun (Lobster),
Camarones (Shrimps) of all sizes,
Cangrejos (Crabs) of which Cubans covet the "Cangrejo Moro" and the "Jaiba Comun"

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Insects and Butterflies

     There are thousands of insects in Cuba. Among the most common are: Mosquitos (Mosquitoes), Moscas (Flies), Comejen (Termites), Cucarachas (Roaches), Polillas (Moths), Gorgojos (Grubs and Weevils), and Hormigas (Ants) of all colors and sizes. The largest and most destructive ant is the "bibijagua" or Army Ant.

     When taking into account Mariposas or Butterflies, Cuba is traditionally a country that has a great variety of butterflies, of all shapes, sizes and colors. Butterflies beautify Cuba's gardens and yards throughout the countryside. The nighttime butterflies are known as "tataguas" and are predominant in Cuba's rural areas.

     One very known and beloved insect by Cuba's population in general, especially by the guagjiro cubanos or rural Cubans, is known as the "cocuyo" or the firebeetle. This nocturnal insect is characterized by their eyes, which emit a phosphorescent green light. Cuban natives would capture several of these insects and place them in calabash bowls or "guiras" to make lamp lights.

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Birds

     Cuba has a great variety of birds with over three hundred species. Since Cuba is situated along a migration bird path, many of Cuba's birds are migratory and some are native to the island. Industrialization has unfortunately disrupted many of Cuba's bird habitats. There are many species that have disappeared or are endangered. Such is the case with the "Guacamayo," a beautiful and colorful bird which is extinct, or the common endemic parrots and flamingoes, which are close to extinction on the island.

     Among the endemic birds of Cuba are:

The Tocororo (Trogon), which is known for its beautiful plumage of red, blue and white feathers. The color combination of the feathers is similar to those of the Cuban flag and thus the Tocororo is the national bird of Cuba.

     The Colibri (Humming Bird or Ant Bird), also called "zunzuncito" and "pajaro mosca" by the islanders. This bird is recognized as the smallest bird in the world.

     The Cotorra Cubana (Magpie or bird similar to a Parrot), such as a parakeet, called on the island "catey" or "periquito." In previous years, these birds were abundant throughout the island, but in recent years they are all close to extinction. One species of parrot that is abundant and traditionally one of Cuba's most common pets is the "cotorra" or "loro" parrot. It is smaller than the normal parrot and learns to speak very quickly.

     Additionally, there is an abundance of Lechuzas (Owls), Tiñosas (Black Buzzards), Pajaros Carpinteros (Woodpeckers), and especially canorous or musical birds.

     Most canorous birds in Cuba, admired worldwide by songbird lovers, are small with bright beautiful hues. The most common songbirds in Cuba are the azuelejos or little bluebirds, the nightingale (ruiseñor), found in the mountains of the Provinces of Pinar del Río and Oriente, and the sinsonte (mocking bird), which is known for its uncanny ability to imitate the songs of other birds. Other canorous birds known to islanders are "Negritos, Mariposas, Aparecido de San Diego, Zorzal Real, Cartacuba, Mayito," and "Martin Pescador."

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