The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals

The Animals endemic to Mexico Make up a list of the most astonishing and striking dedicated to wildlife. You will probably discover some animals that you never imagined could only exist in that Latin American country.

Discovering the amount of species that welcomes among its territories, especially birds like the cuitlacoche of Cozumel and amphibians like the white-lipped frog, we realize that Mexico is one of the most wonderful places in the world in Diversity of ecosystems .

The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals

It has a wide variety of fauna, to the point of being a territory that houses between 10% -12% of all the biodiversity of the planet.

All this is due to the relief of the Mexican territory: mountains, volcanoes, beaches, islands and many other different environments where endless species coexist. Mexico is in the eighth place in the world in terms of bird species.

The habitat of some of these species is restricted to a certain area or state of Mexico, which gives them the characteristic of being endemic to the area.

The small territorial range of the habitat of these animals, together with the expansion of human activity to the natural areas, have caused many of Mexico's own fauna to be in danger of extinction.

There are currently between 20 and 12,000 individuals of each threatened endemic species in Mexico.

20 animal species that only exist within the territory of the country of Mexico

1- Sea cow The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 1

It is a cetacean from the family of porpoises that was discovered on the Mexican coast a couple of decades ago. It is one of the smallest in the world in its kind and is in danger of extinction.

2- Axolotl The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 2

It is a type of salamander, Mexican national symbol, that is only in Lake Xochimilco in the city of New Mexico.

This animal is always kept in the early stages of its development despite the passage of time and is also in danger of extinction.

3- Cuitlacoche of Cozumel

The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 3 Image via thisiscozumel.com

Bird of small size that lives in the island of Cozumel, located in the peninsula of Yucatán.

It is usually one of the species to enjoy the activity of bird watching in natural habitat. Because of its rarity is an animal that is also in danger of extinction.

4- Flat-head bat

The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 4 Image via naturalista.mx

Flying mammal of brown and black color that is characterized by being one of the smaller bats of the world.

In turn, it is considered one of the most difficult animals to capture. Its rarity is such that its first appearance was recorded in 1952 and was not seen again until 1966.

5- White-lipped frog The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 5

It is an endangered amphibian found only in the areas of Pedregal de San Miguel, south of Mexico. Being a nature reserve, this animal is under the protection of the Mexican government.

6- Mexican Wolf The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 6

Wild gray and brown canine of the gray wolf family, but the smallest of its kind contrasts with its characteristic aggressiveness.

It is located in the mountainous and pastoral forests of the country. It is in danger of extinction.

7- Guinean fine sea lion

The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 7

Colloquially known as a false seal, it is a marine mammal species that is located on the island of Guadalupe, which makes it geographically remote.

It is the only one of its kind that has not been thoroughly studied because it is isolated and does not emigrate. She is currently protected by Mexican laws, which saved her from extinction.

8- Mapuche of Cozumel the Mexican raccoon The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 8

It is another Mexican species that is in danger of extinction. They are small black and white animals that always hunt at night.

The name"raccoon"has its indigenous root of the word mapactli, which means"to have hands".

9- Coatí

The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 9

It is another mammalian species of the island of Cozumel, also well-known like badger Mexican. It shares similarities with the raccoon as they come from the same family with some differences in color and size.

The coati is omnivorous and feeds on small invertebrates mostly, but may eat small vertebrates in the case of lizards, small rodents, small birds, bird eggs and crocodiles. They are adaptable to the presence of humans and prefer daytime activities.

10- Didélfido

The 20 Most Endemic Mexican Endemic Animals 10

They are marsupials that are located in Mexico. They have mustache like cats, are black, gray and brown and have a long head and small mouth.

Small size and typical habits of small animals terrestrial and sometimes arboreal. They are a solitary species and the only marsupial found in the area.

11- Mexican Prairie Dog

Despite its name, this animal is not a canine. It is a rodent of small size and light weight located in Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and San Luis Potosi. They are diurnal animals that feed on grasses, grass, seeds, etc.

Their name"puppy"comes from the sound they emit when they feel in danger that is similar to that of a bark. They are grouped in colonies which makes them very social among them.

12- Hill Tuza

It is another species of Mexican rodent located in the environs of the city of Colima. They are small rodents with intelligence that allows them never to fall asleep in the open where they can be seen.

They are of early habits since they tend to sleep during the day after feeding early in the morning and they go to work again in the late afternoon. They are animals digging tunnels and underground nests.

13- Kangaroo Rat of the Island of San José

As its name says, it is a mammal located only on the Island of San José, which makes it another endemic Mexican species in danger of extinction.

It is also one of the smallest kangaroo rats in the world. It lives in hot desert areas with low vegetation, feeds on seeds and shrubs.

14- Rabbit of the volcanoes

It is one of the smallest rabbits in the world and is located around four volcanoes of Mexico: Tlaloc, Pelado, Iztaccihuatl and Popocatepetl.

Their ears are rounded, almost has no tail and their legs are very short unlike the traditional rabbit. This specimen lives at around 3000 masl in wooded areas that cover the volcanic slopes.

15- Matraca Yucateca

It is a bird of approximately 18 centimeters that is located in coastal areas of the peninsula of Yucatán.

They are usually found in pairs or in small groups near xerophilous vegetation, never solitary. In addition this bird usually makes its nest in places closed like caves.

16- Brown chestnut chow

It is a small bird that usually lives inside the barks of the trees. It lives in areas of mountainous forest and feeds mainly of many insects.

17- Mexican Mountain Cat

It comes from the wildcat family and is the smallest of them. It grows approximately twice the size of a domestic cat and has a similar appearance to that of a lynx.

They are intrepid felines, adaptive predators, as well as solitary hunters rarely seen by humans.

The spice is mainly located to the west of Mexico and its food is varied, from rodents to snakes occasionally. They are nocturnal habits, can reach to live up to 12 years.

18- Hare of Tehuantepec

It is located in Oaxaca and Chiapas and is named after the Gulf of Tehuantepec. It is one of the largest hares in Mexico and is easily distinguished by black stripes.

It is a nocturnal species and quite nervous that has similarity with the northern hare with black tail.

19- Yucatan Parrot

It is a bird that is located in the Yucatán peninsula, very adaptable, that can live in captivity. It can be quite sociable and group with others of the same species. Their feathers are mostly emerald green and indigo blue at the edge of the wings.

They also have red feathers that expose when flying and have small yellow feathers near the beak. A white circular area at the top of the head and again red feathers close to the eyes are easily observable visual features.

20- Correcaminos Tropical

It is a small species of brood bird, approximately 46 centimeters, prime of the northern roadrunner. It is an opportunistic predator that feeds on insects, small lizards and small snakes.

References

  1. Allan Wall. Endangered and Threatened Animal Species of Mexico. Recovered from mexidata.info.
  2. Neotropical Birds. Birds Database. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Cornell University. Retrieved from neotropical.birds.cornell.edu.
  3. Endemics Species of Mexico. Recovered from endemicsepecies.weebly.com.
  4. Yucatan Adventure (2006). Yucatan Bird Guide and Photos. Hacienda Chichen Resort. Recovered from yucatanadventure.com.mx.
  5. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. North American Mammals. Retrieved from naturalhistory.si.edu.
  6. Seal Conservation Society (2011). Guadalupe Fur Seal. Retrieved from pinnipeds.org.
  7. Robert Fox (2015). What Is A Coati? Oh the places you'll go. Retrieved from ohtheplacesyoullgo.ca.
  8. Nature Let's Discover. Database of Endangered Species. Retrieved from its nature.org.


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