Overview: Cuba is an island teeming with exotic biodiversity from the worlds tiniest hummingbird, to thousands of migrating crabs, to the jumping crocodiles of the Zapata swamp.

Decades of a socialist, conservation minded government, American embargoes and minimal development have left the island virtually unchanged for 50 years.

As international relations ease, what will become of this wildlife paradise?

DVD Verdict: As the largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is host to spectacular wildlife found nowhere else on the planet: from the jumping crocodiles of the Zapata swamp to the world's tiniest hummingbird, from thousands of migrating crabs to giant, bat-eating boas that lie in wait for easy prey!

After decades of a socialist, conservation-minded government, American embargoes and minimal development having left the island virtually unchanged for 50 years, the big question is: What will now become of this wildlife sanctuary?

Directed by John Murray and narrated by Olga Merediz, 'Nature: Cuba’s Wild Revolution' shines a light on the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean, where Cuba is an island teeming with exotic biodiversity: from coral reefs pulsating with life to five-foot-long Cuban rock iguanas.

As international relations thaw, we find that Cuba is teeming with wildlife, and more plant and animal species take refuge on the narrow island than anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Indeed, the wildlife that can be found on Cuba is also known for being benign, as Cuba has no known harmful animals inhabitants and visitors must watch out for.

Even the sharks that take refuge in the reefs off the coast enjoy swimming alongside others. Although Cuba does not have any large predators to boast of, the island is home to some spectacular and unique small creatures that make Cuba an incomparable environment.

During this colorful, broad documentary, we learn that you can find a variety of wildlife on Cuba due to its diverse terrain. Cuba is part of the Cuba-Cayman Islands Freshwater ecoregion and is also known as a Caribbean Islands biodiversity hotspot.

Different animals find sanctuary in the island’s different terrestrial ecoregions: the Cuban Moist Forests, the Cuban Cactus Scrub and the Cuban Pine Forests.

As for how it all began to decline back those 50 years ago, well, although humans first appeared in the Caribbean Basin around 4000 years ago, it has only been in the last 500 years that consequential environmental degradation has transpired.

The significant environmental changes occurred after the European’s arrival in Hispaniola in 1492, after which significant forest clearing became common with the proliferation of sugar cane plantations.

Learn about these facts and oh-so many more here in the adventurous 'Nature: Cuba’s Wild Revolution,' out now on DVD from PBS! This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.