por The fauna of Mexico It is another of those treasures, together with its beaches and its enchanted cities, that the Central American country offers. Animal lovers will love this country, since hundreds of very striking species inhabit Mexico and, in some cases, unique in the world.
According to the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity of Mexico (CONABIO), this country constitutes only 1% of the Earth’s surface, but is home to 10% of the recognized species.
The rain forests of Mexico are one of the richest reserves of biodiversity on the entire planet and their habitats are home to a large group of wild animals, which include those native to the country, as well as those that migrate from other nations.
In fact, Mexico is one of the 18 mega-diverse areas in the world, with an estimated 200,000 species classified as mammals, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and insects.
Of these 200,000, more than 400 are mammals. Some of these animals can be found in other countries of the world, while some species are unique to Mexico. Among the mammals that can be found in this country, the jaguar, the porcupine, the wolf, the anteater, the prairie dog, the bat and the bear stand out.
As for birds, the most common are sparrows, orioles, owls, ducks, woodpeckers and hummingbirds. For their part, the most outstanding reptile species that can be found in Mexico are sea turtles, box turtles, crocodiles, geckos, iguanas, horned snakes, and rattlesnakes.
Regarding amphibians, approximately 300 species of animals in Mexico belong to this category. In this group, the tree frog, green toads, salamanders, bullfrogs and axolotls stand out.
Finally, the most common insects in this country are tarantulas, monkey spiders, black widow spiders, and grasshoppers.
Animals that show the biodiversity of Mexico
1- The jaguar
Scientific name: panthera onca.
The jaguar is one of the top predators. According to scientific studies, these mammalian animals feed on 80 other species.
Jaguars often hunt cattle on farms in Mexico, which is why they are often killed as a punishment.
2- The scarlet macaw
Scientific name: ara macau.
The scarlet macaw is a brightly colored and striking bird, which makes many people want to keep one as a pet. However, the capture and sale of these animals is illegal in Mexico.
Despite this, poaching of the scarlet macaw is a serious problem in this country, which has led to it now being considered a threatened species.
3- The monarch butterfly
Scientific name: danaus plexippus.
These butterflies are extremely beautiful due to their colorful wings. They are of great importance for the life cycle and for the ecological balance since they constitute pollinating agents.
4- The Mexican gray wolf
Scientific name: Canid lupus baileyi.
The Mexican gray wolf is a subspecies of gray wolf. This wolf has gray fur with light brown tones on its back. It is endowed with long, thin legs that allow it to run long distances at high speed.
Unfortunately, these animals are in danger of extinction and only a few captive-bred individuals remain.
5- The Californian condor
Scientific name: Gymnogyps californianus.
The California condor is the largest bird in North America: the wings of these birds can measure about 3 meters.
Its feathers are black, except on the inside of its wings, where white feathers can be seen; its head is bald and can be white, greyish, reddish or purple. This species has been considerably diminished since the 20th century.
6- The shark
Scientific name: selachimorpha.
Among the shark species that can be found in the Gulf of Mexico, the following stand out:
The bull shark or sardinian shark (Carcharinus leucas), which is gray with a white stripe and reaches 3 meters. This is the only species that can live comfortably in fresh and salt water.
The thresher shark (alopia vulpinus), it measures between 4 and 6 meters when it reaches maturity.
The nurse shark or nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), at birth, these sharks have points, however, when they grow up, their entire body becomes unicolor. They are usually grayish or brown.
7- Whales
Scientific name: Balaenidae.
Among the whales observed in the waters of Mexico are the gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) and the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
Every year, gray whales migrate from the cold waters of the north to the warmer areas of the Central Pacific Coast of Baja California. The same goes for humpback whales.
8- The bee
Scientific name: Anthophila.
Bees, like other insects, play an important role in pollinating flowers. In Mexico there are different species, such as the orchid bee (also called euglossines) and the carpenter bee (similar to bumblebees due to their size and appearance); both are large insects that can reach 5 cm in length.
9- The bat
Scientific name: Pipistrellus pipistrellus.
Bats are animals that play an important role in ecosystems, since they help regulate the insect population. They are also involved in the pollination of plants, such as those used to make tequila.
10- Golden eagle
Scientific name: Aquila chrisaetos.
This is a species of bird of prey that inhabits North America. Because this animal is attributed the qualities of strength and leadership, it has become the national symbol of many countries, Mexico included.
11- Axolotl
Scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum.
One of the most peculiar animals in the world. Endemic to Mexico, it is currently in critical condition. It is an amphibian of about 15 cm, with small eyes, three pairs of gills and small legs. It has different varieties of color.
12- Owl
Scientific name: Strix occidentalis lucida.
Species with presence in several states such as Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Sonora or Nuevo León. It belongs to the Strigidae family of owls and is characterized by being nocturnal birds that feed on small rodents, snakes or lizards. It is very popular in Mexican popular culture, being considered by many as a «bird of the underworld.»
13- Ocelot
Scientific name: Leopardus pardalis.
Also known as the wild cat, it is one of the most beautiful mammals that the Mexican fauna and the rest of America roam. It is nocturnal and a good climber of trees. They measure about 70-80 cm and do not weigh more than 11 kg.
14- Quetzal
Scientific name: Euptilotis neoxenus.
Mythical bird that is distributed throughout the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Transversal Volcanic System. It measures about 34-35 cm on average and the most characteristic thing is its tail of red and orange tones.
15- Prairie dog
Scientific name: Cynomys mexicanus.
Endemic species of the country. It is a rodent that lives at high altitudes in rocky terrain in northern Mexico. It is vital for its ecosystem, since it serves as prey for other species such as the coyote or the eagle. It is currently in danger of extinction.