Animals of the sky and the earth
Cuba is home to an extremely varied fauna, starting with its avifauna. There are more than 400 species of birds (388 to be precise), from the smallest bird in the world - the Ricord's emerald(Chlorostilbon ricordii), familiarly called "zunzún" by the Cubans - to the caballero de Italia, a pink flamingo of 1.50 m in height. Among the most remarkable species, we should mention the breathtaking sijus, capable of turning its head 360°, as well as the ivory-billed woodpecker (the second largest representative of its species), which has recently reappeared in Cuba. However, the most emblematic bird is the one that Cubans have chosen as their national emblem: the trogon, or tocoroco, which lives in the island's forests. Its amazing call as well as its dazzling plumage - a combination of black, red, white and deep green - are unique. Let's also mention some other tropical birds that are quite easy to see in the Cuban countryside, often near houses: the coco negro, the coco blanco and the green parrot, which cohabit with cranes, swallows, pigeons and turtle doves. As for aquatic birds, there are many. The main sea birds are the gull, the pelican and the seagull. The blue heron ("garza"), the partridge and the "yaguaza" (small wild goose) are the birds that can be found near the freshwater reserves.
In the mammal category, it is interesting to note that when Columbus arrived in Cuba, he found only two quadrupeds. The first one was a dog without voice, the second one a kind of raccoon that the natives called "guaquinagi". When the Spaniards settled on the island, they brought with them domestic animals - horses, goats, pigs, cats and dogs - all of which eventually returned to the wild. Thus, the same species of dog gradually changed in such a way that it gave rise to two radically different species: the small Havana spaniel and its large version, a kind of hound once trained to track down runaway slaves. Cattle and horses have followed a fairly linear evolution. As for wild boars, they are scarce in Cuba, so fallow deer have been imported to satisfy hunters... On the side of Baracoa, some "almiquís", endemic and harmless insectivorous mammals, thrive, but also some crocs, this time on the Zapata peninsula. Alligators like to bask under the Caribbean sun in the farms of the peninsula.
As forthe reptile family, let us tell you the good news: snakes are not poisonous in Cuba! However, they can be imposing in size. This is the case of the majá de Santa María, whose wingspan can reach 4 meters. More modest, in the reptile and amphibian family, we note the abundant presence of iguanas, chameleons and lizards (green lizards and sand lizards in particular). Although often invisible, frogs (the banana frog is tiny) and other buffalo toads give voice in the night, when they serenade. Next to more imposing species, the most common bats in Cuba are rather small and have the most poetic names: the butterfly bat and the flower bat rule the night! In the insect family, it is worth mentioning the countless - and huge - multicolored Cuban butterflies. The mariposa crystal, a great lover of buddleia flowers, is one of the most sumptuous. Among the insects to watch out for, besides the tireless mosquito, avoid the sting of the Italian scorpion!
What about in the water?
In the sea along the coast, the first thing to note is the manatee reserves (called "manatís" here), imposing mammals that were once assimilated to mermaids by sailors who, fond of their flesh, largely decimated the population. A real living fossil, the manjuarí, a fish with an elongated shape and a very slow movement, would have... 270 million years old! It lives alongside 900 other species, divided between sea and fresh water. The most famous underwater inhabitants of Cuba are undoubtedly marlin, barracuda, tuna, ray, bonito, mackerel, shark and dolphin (some whales occasionally stray from the island's Atlantic coast). If the vast majority of these tropical fish, with their splendid colors and varied shapes, are harmless, keep your distance from the dragon fish, the stingray and the barracuda during your diving trips. At ease in the warm waters of the Cuban coastline, jellyfish are legion. Here too, be careful! Just like with sea urchins, which tend to settle in the very place where swimmers get into the water! For the rest, turtles and other octopuses should not cause you any problem during your explorations of deep waters covered with black coral. As for the beaches, they are littered with amazing shells, starfish and the famous sand dollars.
If the sea has a nice population, it is also the case of the Cuban fresh waters. You can cast your line in the river with the assurance of catching a fish! In addition to freshwater fish, small colonies of sea and freshwater turtles have been reported. As for crustaceans, oysters, conchs and crayfish can be found in quantity, but also the giant mussels of the mangrove! If lovers of lobsters, crabs and shrimps will be served in Cuba, learn here that most of these crustaceans are reserved for commercial export: several hundred boats and many breeding farms are dedicated to this unique trade. However, they can easily be found on the plates of the great hotels and prestigious restaurants of the island. The lobster in particular can be tasted almost everywhere, even in casas particulares, even though its sale is not legal for individuals. Beware! In Cuba, it is forbidden to fish with a harpoon, to collect coral or live shells. Cubans are quite strict on this point.
Cuban flora
Trees and flowers. Although Cuba does not have as much exuberant flora as Central America, it does have a significant tropical profusion. The palm tree, the national tree, is certainly the most widespread: there are more than 70 million of them on the whole territory, divided into about sixty species. This is a godsend when you consider that absolutely everything about the palm tree is useful: the palms are used to make roofs, hats and baskets; the bark, which is rot-proof, is perfect for walls and partitions; the trunk is used to build frameworks and fences; the fruit is used to feed pigs; and the heart - called palmito - is delicious when cooked!
Among the species of trees that existed before the arrival of the conquistadors and of which there is almost nothing left today, precious woods abounded. Teak, ebony, guaiac, mahogany, cedar and ironwood were used for the construction of luxurious palaces, elaborate furniture and for the ships of the Spanish fleet. Equally valuable are the vijaguara de fuego, majagua azul, hueso de tortuga and bamboo, all of which are specifically Cuban, and which are almost extinct today.
On the other hand, many other tree species continue to thrive in Cuba, such as pine, coconut and eucalyptus. Coniferous crops are also being tested in the western region. Throughout the country, the yagruma, with its large green-faced and white-backed leaves, is a rival to the palm tree, as well as the laurel, avocado, mango, fig, tamarind, carob, frangipani, jocuma andalmácigo. Flamboyant trees are also numerous, brightening the streets of the cities with their glowing flowers in June. In fact, the delicate and colorful vegetation of the seashore or evolving near the ponds led Christopher Columbus to write in his logbook " The greenery extends almost to the water; along the river grow beautiful green trees with flowers, various fruits, innumerable small birds with melodious song. The flowers are indeed numerous and splendid: next to the mariposa - national flower with the air of butterfly wings - thrives the anthurium, the poinsettia, the bougainvillea, the tulip tree, the jasmine, the gladioli, the hibiscus, as well as dazzling orchids.
Spices, fruits and vegetables. In addition to tropical forests and other reforestation areas, Cuba has a few dry areas, especially in Guantánamo, which are bristling with cacti and thorny bushes. But Cubans are also skilled gardeners: if the roadsides and public spaces are covered with vegetation, many gardens are home to vegetable gardens where fruits, spices and aromatic herbs are grown. The most common herbs are oregano, sage, parsley and, of course, hierba buena (mint), an essential ingredient in any self-respecting mojito. The spices were mainly imported from West Africa and South America, the most common being ginger, pepper, mustard, paprika, chili (pepper, used for sauces), cardamom, nutmeg, coriander and cumin. Also introduced, this time because of their medicinal properties, althea, vetiver and sandalwood are present in Cuba.
As far as vegetables are concerned, once again Africa and South America are the main sources of imports: carrots, potatoes, beets, eggplant, avocado, manioc, black beans, bananas and chayote grow easily in Cuba's rich soil. Rice is also grown in abundance. However, Cuba stands out from its Caribbean neighbors by the quantity and diversity of its fruit crops. Orange, lemon, tangerine, grapefruit, but also papaya, mango (the bizcochuelo is the most popular variety), guava, pineapple and strawberry make sweet tooths happy. Guava in particular is very popular with Cubans: it can be eaten raw or in juice, jelly or jam. Its little sister from the west coast, the guayabita, is grown to make Guayabita del Pinar, a kind of local brandy. Whatever the tropical fruit - níspero, mamey, caïmito, maranón, anón or zapote - all are consumed in juice or raw.
