The 10 Most Extinct Animals in Mexico

Between the extinct animals in Mexico the Mexican gray bear and the northern condor are noteworthy. The extinct species are those that have disappeared due to climate change, illegal hunting and the deterioration of their habitats by human intervention in the country.

While animals can also become extinct under natural conditions, since the Industrial Revolution the number of missing and endangered species has increased alarmingly. In Mexico, there are officially records of 49 extinct animal species.

Northern Condor, extinct in Mexico

However, environmental and conservation agencies in the country estimate that the actual figure rises to approximately 129. The main causes of extinction in the country are the deterioration of ecosystems - due to the immoderate felling of trees or pollution -, the extraction of species for illegal sale and the introduction of invasive species.

Extinct Mexican animals

Mexico has agencies such as the National Commission for the Use and Knowledge of Biodiversity (CONABIO) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), which conserve and raise awareness among the population about endangered species.

These institutions seek to protect the country's natural diversity and currently protect endangered species. However, Mexico ranks second among the countries with the most endangered species. The following is a list of some animals that have disappeared from Mexican territory.

Mexican gray bear

Also known as Mexican grizzly, it was a subspecies of brown bear that lived in northern Mexico and the southern United States. It was a bit smaller in size compared to the North American bears; it fed on fruits, insects and small mammals.

They lived approximately 20 years and their habitat was pine forests, although they adapted to the arid Sonoran desert. Its extinction, in the decade of 1960, is due to the fact that the Mexican cattlemen hunted or poisoned them to protect the cattle, usual prey of the gray bear.

Caribbean monk seal

It is the only seal species that has become extinct due to human causes. It lived between the Yucatan Peninsula and the Caribbean Sea. It was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second expedition, during 1494. They were gregarious animals, that is, they moved in large groups.

They could weigh up to 130 kilos and had brown fur. During colonial times they were hunted as food and to use their fat; they were able to hunt up to 100 seals per day. The last scientific record of the animal was given in 1952; in 2008 it was officially declared extinct by the Mexican authorities.

Imperial carpenter

The imperial carpenter inhabited the central area of ​​northern Mexico and the southern United States. It abounded in the pine forests; it fed on worms and larvae extracted from the bark of trees.

It measured between 50-56 centimeters. During his young life it was brown and when he reached adulthood he returned a bright red tone, with black torso and white beak. They used to live as a couple or groups of up to 6 birds. Its extinction in 1957 was the result of deforestation.

Paloma del Socorro

The Socorro pigeon was endemic to the state of Colima, in Mexico. It measures around 30 centimeters. Its plumage is tan and has a blue spot on the nape. Its habitat was devastated and by 1972 none was left on its island of origin.

A small number of birds are in captivity in Europe and the United States, where they are studied by ornithologists. At present it is looking to reintroduce 3 copies to the Island of Socorro to return to live in freedom.

Zero of Lerma

The carrot of Lerma was a species of endemic bird of Mexico that lived in the environs of the Lerma river, to the center of the country. Its plumage was black and measured approximately 35 centimeters.

It is estimated that it became extinct at the end of the 20th century, due to the pollution and drought of the Lerma wetlands, its natural habitat.

Caracara of Guadalupe

The caracara was an endemic bird of Guadalupe Island, on the east coast of the Baja California peninsula. Its extinction dates back to the year 1900, because they were considered birds of prey and represented a threat to young livestock. It is one of the few intentionally extinct species.

Northern Condor

It is a scavenger bird in black plumage approximately 11 kilos. The length of its two extended wings reached a total of 3 meters; It is the largest size in North America.

Its average life is approximately 60 years. Its extinction in Mexico was due to the loss of habitat. A few specimens are sheltered in the United States.

Carpita del Ameca

This endemic species from Mexico was located at the head of the Ameca River in the state of Jalisco. It was a tiny fish that reached 44 millimeters. The main cause of extinction was the contamination of the river due to agriculture and the growth of urban areas.

Mouse of the island San Pedro Nolasco

It was a kind of large body mouse with a short tail. Its color was similar to cinnamon and was endemic to San Pedro Nolasco Island, in the state of Sonora. It lived in the bushes of the desert areas.

This mouse fed on flowers and strawberries. It has been cataloged as extinct for more than 20 years, it is believed that the cause was the introduction of exotic species in their natural habitat.

Cachorrito de Potosí

Potosí puppies are small fish up to 5 centimeters long, endemic to the state of San Luis Potosí. Its scales are bright blue and the iris yellow.

They are extinct in their natural habitat and there are only a few specimens for the study of the species at the University of Nuevo Leon and an aquarium in Texas.

References

1. Bear Conservation (s.f.) Mexican grizzly bear (extinct). Bear Conservation. Retrieved from bearconservation.org.uk
2. Caballero, F. Et al (2014) The Imperial Woodpecker: Extinction. Magazine: Science and man, 28-01. Recovered from uv.mx
3. Ecoosphere (2016) In Mexico there are already 15 extinct species in the last 50 years. Ecoosphere Recovered from ecoosfera.com
4. El Universal (2008) The monk seal of the Caribbean has become extinct. El Universal newspaper online. Recovered from eluniversal.com.mx
5. El Universal (2013) Reproduce a dove in danger of extinction in Puebla. El Universal newspaper online. Recovered from eluniversal.com.mx
6. Miranda, F. (2016) In Mexico, 49 extinct species; 129 unofficial. Millennium Group. Recovered from millennium.com
7. NaturaLista (s.f.) Caracara of Guadalupe Island (Caracara Luctuosa). Birds of Mexico. Recovered from naturalista.mx
8. NaturaLista (s.f.) Cachorrito de Potosí (Cyprinodon Alvarezi). Fish of Mexico. Recovered from naturalista.mx