Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Just two native mammal species remain, clinging to survival in scattered pockets
throughout Haiti and the DR. These are the hutia, a tree-climbing rodent, and the solen-
odon, an insectivore resembling a giant shrew. The solenodon is particularly threatened,
and both species are nocturnal, making sightings extremely difficult.
Marine Mammals
The DR is world famous for its marine mammals, with manatees and humpback whales
the star attractions. Travelers, however, are more likely to see dolphins unless they arrive
in the right season or make a special trip to the right habitat. Several thousand humpback
whales migrate south from frigid arctic waters to breed and calve in the tropical waters of
the DR each winter (with their numbers peaking in January and February). The Bahía de
Samaná is one of the foremost places in the world for boat-based whale-watching, and the
Banco de Plata (Silver Banks) is one of only two places in the world where you can swim
and snorkel (under supervision, on week-long live-aboard trips) with these truly magnifi-
cent creatures.
Manatees feed on the seagrass meadows surrounding Hispaniola, hence their alternative
name of 'sea cow'. Weighing up to 590kg and reaching 3.7m in length, manatees are shy,
docile creatures; Parque Nacional Estero Hondo (near Punta Rusia) and Parque Nacional
Monte Cristi (
Click here
)
are two of the better places to try to spot them.
Most of the humpbacks visiting the DR spend the winter gorging on krill in the feeding
grounds of the Gulf of Maine, of the US coast. They don't eat during their entire Caribbean
stay.
Fish & Marine Life
The shallow coastal waters and coral reefs that surround the DR are home to a tremendous
variety of sea life. So many species of tropical fish, crustaceans, sponges and corals can
be found here that it takes a specialized field guide to begin to sort them out. Where they
remain relatively intact and unfished - such as at Sosúa and Monte Cristi - they are stu-
pendously beautiful. Some of the more colorful Caribbean reef fish include fluorescent
fairy basslet, queen angelfish, rock beauty and blue tang, but each visitor will quickly find
their own favorite. The warm waters are also home to four species of sea turtle: green,
leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead. You may have occasional encounters with these
turtles while snorkeling, but from May to October they can be viewed in places such as
