Cuban Flora and Fauna

Flora and Fauna

Cuban flora and fauna consist of endemic and introduced species, some bought to the island purposefully, while others accidentally. It is somewhat difficult to determine when which animal or plant was brought to the island. The introduction of foreign species began in the early years of the colonization process. The Spaniards wished to take advantage of the favorable weather conditions for animal breeding and cultivation of their own supplies. In this way, numerous plants and animals were introduced, such as vegetables and roots, as well as hogs, sheep and cattle.

Caribbean flora is famous for its variety. Together with all the tropical species that constitute the highest percentage of this kingdom, Nordic species like oak and coexist in this region. At the very beginning of the colonization, the entirety of the island was carpeted by woods. Over the course of years, as a result of the expansion of agriculture and deforestation, a mere 25% of the forested area survived. In total, around 8,000 plant species exist in Cuba, in some instances creating areas of specific vegetation such as the marshes. Two main vegetation zones are determined: up to 800 m high or hot land and the temperate zone, especially mountainous areas. Typical vegetation grows along the coastal regions: the mangrove forests, which offer effective protection to the coastline from tropical storms and act as a refuge for countless of corals, mollusks and fish. Different kinds of palms and shrubs prosper on the Cuban beaches: coconuts, beach grapes and needle trees. Palm trees are of particular interest in the Cuban flora, from which 80 species thrive on the island. The dense forests are to be found in the mountain regions like the Sierra Maestra and the Sierra del Escambray, though surprisingly some species typical to the dryer regions grow here as well; common examples are the agave, thorny shrubs and species of cacti.

A great deal of the tropical plants became very useful for the European settlers. Citrus and fruit trees like the mango, papaya and avocados are also an essential part of the Cuban landscape today. Other species introduced in the course of time rose to prominence as far as survival was concerned: rice, beans, potatoes, coffee and sugarcane. On the other hand, Cuba is home to many flowery ornamental plants, among them the flamboyant or flame tree with its decorative and contrasting red-flowered canopy. Others like the bougainvillea, thrives in practically any spot and blooms the whole year round. A vast number of orchids are endemic to Cuba. The Orchid Garden in Soroa, Pinar del Río province, is the perfect place to admire them in all shapes and colors. One orchid, the water hyacinth, is found in plague proportions, for it covers huge extensions of the river basins, hindering navigation and fishing.

In contrast to the flora, the variety of Cuban fauna is far less, especially concerning mammals. Upon arrival, the Spaniards found only two species of land mammals, though a large number of bats, fish, birds and insects species are still in existence. The abundance of fish in Cuban waters is dazzlingly diverse. There exists 900 species, out of which 300 are edible; this makes Cuba a real sports fishing paradise, especially on the north-western coast where the Gulf Stream flows at its strongest and pushes huge schools of fish towards the Florida Straight. The most common species are the blue and white marlins, the swordfish, the tuna and the red snapper. The waters surrounding Cuba also teem with mollusks, crustaceans and corals. That's why snorkeling will always be a fascinating way to spend time all around the archipelago. In the case of the crustaceans, Cuba is one of the largest exporters of the tasty and costly Caribbean lobster.

The alligator species found in the Treasure Lagoon is regarded as a living fossil, featuring a reptilian snout and fish adaptations. The gigantic and now scarce Caguamas, considered "delicatessen" and the almost extinct Manatí, weighing up to 500 Kg and measuring 5m in length, also known as sea cow because of its vegetarian feeding habits, also have a home here.

Reptilians are one of the most abundant species in Cuba, mainly lizard and gecko species like the iguanas, which in spite of their size are completely harmless, along with the Cuban snakes that in turn are not even poisonous. The longest is the Santa María snake, a 4 m python species. Crocodiles, once on the verge of extinction, are indeed spectacular. Thanks to the creation of the crocodile breeding farm in the Zapata Peninsula in 1960, Cuba saved its 2 main crocodile species.

There are around 7,000 species of insects, among which mosquitoes are the most numerous and bothersome, they generally swarm swampy and coastal areas. Eye-catching are the 190 species of butterflies. All insects are basic food supply for reptilians, bats and birds. An interesting fact is that the indigenous population of the island used hole-ridden güira fruits to trap a type of fire-beetle to function as lamps. Another Cuban curiosity is the Polymita Picta, a colorful snail, native to the eastern part of the country. Due to the wide color spectrum displayed on their shells, they served as currency among Cuba's first inhabitants.

Approximately 300 species of birds inhabit the Cuban archipelago, a percentage of which is made up by migratory birds that make the journey to the island at specific times of the year. Twenty-one species are endemic such as the smallest humming bird in the world: the Cuban emerald. The diversity and color of the bird world amazes the visitor: the pink flamingos, the singing birds and the pelicans.

Since the early days of the Spanish colonization, only 2 endemic species of mammals are known to exist on the island, these include the "almiquí", a rare insectivorous species and the "jutía", a rodent whose meat was coveted by Indians and farmers. The 30 species of bats are very scattered around the island's cave systems, their preferred habitat. Domestic animals like cats, dogs, pigs and horses were all introduced in the course of the years.

In general, for those who love direct contact with nature, there are no poisonous species that could hinder a pleasant stay on the Cuban archipelago .