3. That’s a Croc
Have you ever heard Cuba being referred to in Spanish as “El Cocodrilo” or “El Caimá“? That’s because a bird’s eye view of the island’s shape resembles a crocodile. Speaking of crocs, there is a native species of leaping Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) found only in Cuba’s Zapata Swamp and the Isle of Youth. It’s a small, intelligent, aggressive species and is highly endangered.
4. Cuba Has Some Unique Creatures
There are a few other rare species of note that call Cuba home. The world’s smallest bird, the bee hummingbird, lives there. One of the planet’s smallest frogs, the Eleutherodactylus iberia, also resides there. Cuba also lays claim to the prehistoric Manjuari fish. It’s a bizarre, primitive skeletal fish that’s like a biological link between fish and mammals. There are also some unique bats, snakes, lizards and river fish, plus over 3000 plant species found nowhere else. It’s a rich destination for ecotourism.
