the cuban solenodon or almiqui ("solenodon cubanus") is a species of soricomorph that is endemic to cuba. it belongs to the family solenodontidae along with a similar species, the hispaniolan solenodon ("solenodon paradoxus"). the solenodon is unusual among mammals in that its saliva is venomous. since its discovery in 1861 by the german naturalist wilhelm peters.