University of Bath - Hope for toxic twosome

Rare poisonous mammals could be saved from extinction by researchers at the University of Bath. Scientists are working with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to study the Hispaniolan solenodon and the Hispaniolan hutia, large shrew-like mammals that live in the Caribbean and kill their prey with a venomous bite. They are among the region's few surviving native land mammals and are endangered because of habitat loss and introduced rivals. Mark O'Connell, from Bath's department of biology and biochemistry, is working as a consultant on the conservation project.