Cuba Naturaleza Biodiversity

Biosphere, Fauna and Flora in Cuba Naturaleza

Cuba is the most important territory for biodiversity conservation in the West Indies, according to conservation organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Two percent of the world flora is located in Cuba; if compared to the other Caribbean islands, Cuba has the highest number of plants and animals as well as the highest endemism degrees.

Cuba ranks first among insular ecosystems when regarding endemic plants, eleventh at world level concerning endemic reptiles, and twenty-second at world level with regard to higher reptiles.

The animal life(fauna) in Cuba is abundant and very peculiar, species like the smallest frog of the hemisphere Monte Iberia Dwarf Eleuth, the butterfly bat (Natalus lepidus), one of the smallest of the planet, the Bee Hummingbird is know as the smallest bird in the world, with only 7 centimeters, the Cuban Crocodile one of the most primitive ones of the world. The Cuban Solenodon, a giant among the insectivorous mammals that live in the planet, and the Cuban Gar are considered living fossils.

Cuba has a flora of striking richness, with the total number of native flowering species estimated at nearly 8,000. The Cuban Royal Palm is the national tree is the one that best characterizes the Cuban countryside, and so it is featured in the national coat of arms. The national flower is the White Ginger or Butterfly Jasmine.

Biosphere, Bioscapes and Landscapes in Cuba Naturaleza

Cuba has several prominent mountains and hills. The lakes are small and more properly classified as freshwater or saltwater lagoons. Cuba has over 200 rivers as well as small streams or arroyos that are dry in summer. The national parks in Cuba provide wonderfully abundant varieties of natural life .. more Biosphere and Landscapes in Cuba.

Animal Life (Fauna) in Cuba Naturaleza

The Cuban fauna counts with 42 species of mammals, 350 of birds, 121 of reptiles, 46 of amphibians, 2 947 of mollusks, 7 493 of insects and 1 300 of arachnids, none of them are poisonous for man.

In Cuba, there are very peculiar species like the smallest frog of the norht hemisphere Monte Iberia Dwarf Eleuth ... the Bee Hummingbird is know as the smallest bird in the world ... the Cuban Crocodile one of the most primitive ones of the world ... The Cuban Solenodon, a giant among the insectivorous mammals ... and the Cuban Gar are considered living fossils ... more about the Fauna in Cuba.

Birds

Mamals

Reptiles

Amphibians

Fishes

Vegetation (Flora) in Cuba Naturaleza

Cuba's flora is very rich and extremely diverse, with more than eight thousand species among trees and flowers. The Cuban Royal Palm is the national tree is the one that best characterizes the Cuban countryside, and so it is featured in the national coat of arms. The national flower is the White Ginger or Butterfly Jasmine.

The most notable endemic species include the Cork Palm, the Magnolia amog others. The orchids have outstanding colors, flawless shapes and exist in more than 300 species, endemic to Cuba stands out the Black Orchid and the Bocourt's encylia, the last one discover in the 20th century ... more about the Flora in Cuba.

Flowers

Trees

Activities in Cuba Naturaleza

Standing on a large, exuberant and totally virgin coral reef, Cuba is a sunken paradise for those with a passion for diving. Cuba has 16 scuba diving and Snorkeling centers, located along the coasts, which offer over 500 diving and 360 snorkeling sites, featuring spectacular underwater scenery, for example: María la Gorda, Cayo Levisa, El Colony y Cayo Largo del Sur ... more nature activities in cuba naturaleza.

Cuba Naturaleza Biodiversity