The Island has a rich and varied terrestrial fauna. There are species that are internationally recognized as its dwarfism. For example, the World's Smallest Bird: zunzuncito (fly bird, Cuban bee hummingbird or Helena hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae), a true winged jewel (63 mm in length).
It is also worth mentioning the Cuban frog (Eleutherodactylus limbatus) (12 mm in length); the butterfly bat that weighs 2 to 3 grams, and a dwarf scorpion (10 mm in length); In addition, there are numerous species of mollusks, some of a great beauty such as polymitas; there are considered by many experts as the most beautiful land snail.
The land and marine avifauna is diverse and attractive and consists of more than 350 species reported (many of which are endemic). There are species that migrate to the island in the winter. The privileged geographical position, halfway between the two Americas, makes Cuba a place for a large number of birds. For this reason, there are internationally recognized areas, such as the Ciénaga de Zapata (Zapata Swamp).
For the visitors that are looking to be in direct contact with nature there are many options: bird watching, hiking, diving, sport fishing, outdoor horseback riding, cave tourism, bicycle tourism or rural tourism are some of the options in Cuba.
Protected Areas in Cuba:
Occidental Region:
• Guanahacabibes National Park
• Viñales National Park
• Mil Cumbres Protected Area of Managed Resources
• Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve
• Las Terrazas
• Soroa
• Península de Zapata Biosphere Reserve
• Valle del Río Canímar Protected Natural Landscape
Central Region
• Guanaroca- Punta Gavilán Refuge of Fauna
• Hanabanilla Protected Natural Landscape
• Cayo Santa María Refuge of Fauna
• Las Loras Refuge of Fauna
• Caguanes National Parks
• Topes de Collantes Protected Natural Landscape
• Lomas de Banao Ecologic Reserve
• Jobo Rosado Protected Area of Managed Resources
• Sierra del Chorrillo Protected Area of Managed Resources
• Limones-Tuabaquey Ecologic Reserve
• Río Máximo Refuge of Fauna
• Other touristic areas of interest: Yaguanabo Protected Natural Landscape
• El Nicho
Oriental Region
• Desembarco del Granma National Park
• Turquino National Park
• Baconao Biosphere Reserve
• La Gran Piedra Protected Natural Landscape
• Hatibonico Ecologic Reserve
• Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
• El Yunque de Baracoa Featured Natural Element
Protected Areas in Cuba:
Occidental Region:
-
Guanahacabibes National Park
-
Viñales National Park
-
Mil Cumbres Protected Area of Managed Resources
-
Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve
-
Las Terrazas
-
Soroa
-
Península de Zapata Biosphere Reserve
-
Valle del Río Canímar Protected Natural Landscape
Central Region
-
Guanaroca- Punta Gavilán Refuge of Fauna
-
Hanabanilla Protected Natural Landscape
-
Cayo Santa María Refuge of Fauna
-
Las Loras Refuge of Fauna
-
Caguanes National Parks
-
Topes de Collantes Protected Natural Landscape
-
Lomas de Banao Ecologic Reserve
-
Jobo Rosado Protected Area of Managed Resources
-
Sierra del Chorrillo Protected Area of Managed Resources
-
Limones-Tuabaquey Ecologic Reserve
-
Río Máximo Refuge of Fauna
-
Other touristic areas of interest: Yaguanabo Protected Natural Landscape
-
El Nicho
Oriental Region
-
Desembarco del Granma National Park
-
Turquino National Park
-
Baconao Biosphere Reserve
-
La Gran Piedra Protected Natural Landscape
-
Hatibonico Ecologic Reserve
-
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
-
El Yunque de Baracoa Featured Natural Element