The Fauna of mexico Is another of those treasures, along with its beaches and its enchanting cities, offered by the Central American country. Animal lovers will love this country because in Mexico they inhabit hundreds of very striking and, in some cases, unique species 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 it houses 10% of the recognized species.
The rainforests of Mexico are one of the richest reserves of Biodiversity All over the planet and their habitats house a large group of wild animals, including those native to the country, as well as those who migrate from other nations.
In fact, Mexico is one of the 18 mega diverse areas of the world, with an estimated 200,000 species classified in 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. On the other hand, the most outstanding reptile species that can be found in Mexico are the sea turtles, the box turtle, the crocodiles, the guecos, the iguanas, the horned snakes and the rattlesnakes.
With respect to amphibians, approximately 300 species of animals in Mexico belong to this category. In this group, stand the tree frog, green toads, salamanders, bull frogs and axolotls.
Finally, the most common insects in this country are tarantulas, monkey spiders, black widow spiders and grasshoppers.
10 animals that show the biodiversity of Mexico
1- The jaguar
Scientific name: Panthera onca .
The jaguar is one of the greatest predators. According to scientific studies, these mammals feed on 80 other species.
Jaguars usually hunt livestock on Mexico's farms, which is why they are often killed as a method of punishment.
2- The scarlet macaw
Scientific name: Ara macao .
The scarlet macaw is a bird of vibrant and striking colors, which makes many people wish to have 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 made it now considered a threatened species.
3- The monarch butterfly
Scientific name: Danaus plexippus .
These butterflies are of great beauty because of their colorful wings. They are of great importance for the cycle of life and for the ecological balance since they constitute pollinating agents.
4- The Mexican Gray Wolf
Scientific name: Canis lupus baileyi .
The Mexican gray wolf is a subspecies of gray wolf. This wolf has a gray fur with light brown tones on the back. It is equipped with long and thin legs that allow you to run great distances at high speed.
Unfortunately, these animals are in danger of extinction and only a few individuals are kept in captivity.
5- The Californian condor
Scientific name: Gymnogyps californianus .
The Californian condor is the largest bird in North America: the wings of these birds can reach about 3 meters.
Their feathers are black, except in the inner part of their wings, where you can see white feathers; His head is bald and may be white, gray, reddish or purple. This species has been considerably diminished since the 20th century.
6- The shark
Scientific name: Selachimorpha .
The beaches of Cancun, Mexico, are known as some of the most infested shark in the world. Among the species of sharks that can be found in the Gulf of Mexico are:
The bull shark or Sardinian shark ( Carcharhinus leucas ), Which is gray with a white stripe and reach 3 meters. This is the only species that can live comfortably in fresh and salt water.
The fox shark ( Alopia vulpinus ), This one measures between 4 and 6 meters when it reaches the maturity.
The mother shark or cat shark ( Ginglymostoma cirratum ), At birth, these sharks have spots, however, when they grow their whole body becomes unicolor. They are usually grayish or brown.
7- Whales
Scientific name: Balaenidae .
Among the whales seen in Mexican waters are gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) and humpback whales ( Megaptera novaeangliae ).
Each year, gray whales migrate from the cold waters of the north to the warmer zones 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 the pollination of flowers. In Mexico there are different species, such as the bee of the orchids (also called euglossines) and the bee carpenter (resembling bumble bees by their size and appearance); Both are large insects that can reach 5 cm long.
9- The bat
Scientific name: Pipistrellus pipistrellus .
Bats are animals that play a relevant role in ecosystems, since they help regulate the insect population. They also participate in the pollination of plants, such as those used to make tequila.
10- Real eagle
Scientific name: Aquila chrysaetos .
This is a species of bird of prey that lives in North America. Because this animal is credited with the qualities of strength and leadership, it has become the national symbol of many countries, including Mexico.
References
- Sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from oceanofk.org.
- Bees and Beetles. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from ontheroadin.com.
- Whale Watching. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from whaleroute.com.
- Mexican Gray Wolf. Basic Facts. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from defenders.org.
- California Condor. Basic Facts. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from defenders.org.
- 9 Awesome Animals that Showcase Mexico's Biodiversity. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from fws.gov.
- Wildlife Conservation and Management in Mexico. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from faculty.weber.edu.
- Animals and the Maya in Southeast Mexico. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from ethnohistory.dukejournals.org.
- Guide to Wildlife in Mexico. Retrieved on April 28, 2017, from seasidemexico.com.