Cuba Fauna and Flora

The national flower of Cuba is the “Butterfly Flower,” Hedychium coronarium.  Highlighted in the Cuban fauna, mammals such as hutia, various bats, reptiles (Cuba is home to a crocodile population more than many other places), amphibians (including the world’s smallest frog), fish and marine animals.

There is just over 6,500 species of seed plants, forests, tropical plants, and river frutales.   The Cuban fauna has changed over time, as far from the present fauna of the Quaternary period in Cuba is concerned. There is abundant marine life as well as caves, inhabited by blind fish, shrimp, microorganisms and fungi.

On coral reefs there are numerous limestone skeletons which form large masses. They are home to the hawksbill and loggerhead, two endangered turtles. In addition, there are fish such as banter and other smaller fish such as angels.   On the ground there are insects and insectivorous mammals in places like almiqui.

In the trees there are hutia Anolis lizards (Capromyidae).  As well as several endemic birds like the tocororo (national bird), and the zunzun catey.  Crocodiles inhabit swamps along Mayito marsh, beside the Ferminia, the gallinuela of St. Thomas and the heron.
Cuba was originally filled with a thick vegetation, but after a while (especially during the Spanish domination) it has been degraded to develop agriculture.  However there are many programs for the care and maintenance of these forests, that harbor great diversity. The woods of Cuba are listed.  Found in the woods are cedar, mahogany, teak and others