Puebla is a Mexican state whose location is very special, since its geography allows it to house a large number of animal species, many of which are endemic, that is, they are not found anywhere. another part of the world. Likewise, this great biodiversity is threatened by various factors, either by the deforestation of forests and jungles, crop plantations and livestock activities or by the illegal hunting of many species that are sold as pets. For this reason, it is so important to know these animals in order to care for and conserve them.
If you want to know which are the animals in danger of extinction in Puebla, don't miss this article on our site where we show you the most significant.
Poblana Frog (Lithobates pueblae)
Species of the family Ranidae and endemic to Puebla, Mexico. It lives in wooded areas with pine oaks, about 1,600 meters above sea level and in tropical mountainous areas, in humid areas and with rivers. The male is between 3 and 8 cm long, while the female is larger and can reach up to 11 cm. Its head is robust and has a fold of skin behind and above the eardrums. Its limbs are short and its coloration is dark green with notable irregular and dark spots all over its body, while it is lighter on the ventral part.
It is in danger of extinction due to the destruction of its fluvial environments, especially due to the presence of the Necaxa River dam.
Puebla Tree Frog (Exerodonta xera)
This species belongs to the Hylidae family and is also endemic to Mexico, specifically living in the center of Puebla, southeast of Zapotitlan and north of Oaxaca. It inhabits mountain areas up to 1,500 meters above sea level, in environments with bushy vegetation, with rocky streams, where the little frog finds an ideal microhabitat for its reproduction and development. This, like many other species of the same family, in dry seasons, takes refuge among the leaves of plants such as bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) and other epiphytes, abundant where it lives.
This frog is small in size, the males measure about 2 cm and the females, which are larger, about 3 cm. The head is wide, as is the body and its long limbs. The coloration of its skin is green throughout the body and cream-colored ventrally. Their populations are seriously threatened with extinction mainly due to the loss of their habitat due to the advancement of infrastructure for tourism.
Necaxa Sword (Xiphophorus evelynae)
This is a fish that belongs to the Poeciliidae family and is distributed in the Tecolutla River basin, at its source in Puebla, where it is endemic. It presents quite marked sexual dimorphism, since the female measures about 6 cm, while the male reaches approximately 4 cm. Its coloration is variable, the male can present from light brown to yellow, as well as the dorsal and caudal fins, and the female, on the other hand, is paler and less conspicuous.
Because it lives in such a restricted habitat and high bodies of water, where hydroelectric plants and dams have been built, this This species is also part of the list of animals in danger of extinction in Puebla.
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
The ocelot belongs to the Felidae family and in Mexico it is discontinuously distributed, being present in the state of Puebla, in the Sierra Madre Oriental. It inhabits a wide variety of environments, from tropical jungles to humid forests, semi-desert and mountainous areas. It measures between 70 and 90 cm in length and is characterized by its large eyes and ears, in addition to the design of its fur, which is yellow-brown in color and with rosette-shaped spots all over its body.
The main threats that have led the ocelot to be in danger of extinction not only in Puebla, but in the entire country, are illegal hunting, either to obtain their fur or due to conflicts with ranchers because they consume poultry, and the destruction of their habitat , which has caused each further decline in their populations. In this other article we talk more in depth about its threats: "Why is the ocelot in danger of extinction?".
Poblano mouse (Peromyscus mekisturus)
The poblano mouse belongs to the Cricetidae family and is distributed throughout the south of Puebla, where it lives in rocky and arid environments and in plantations. It measures around 24 cm and has a long tail with a gray-ocher coloration on the dorsal part, while ventrally it is cream-colored and the extremities are dark, except for the fingers, which are white.
It is an endangered species in Puebla due to the loss of its habitat and its native vegetation due to the progress of activities In addition, drastic environmental and climatic changes also seriously affect this mouse.
In this video from EcologíaVerde you will be able to see how climate change affects and thus understand why this animal and others are seriously threatened by it:
Sierra Madre Oriental Southern Dragonfly (Abronia graminea)
This reptile of the Anguidae family is found in Puebla, Veracruz and Oaxaca, where it lives in pine and oak forests and in cloud forests, up to almost 3,000 m.a.s.l. Like other species of the same genus, the little dragon has arboreal habits and is frequently associated with epiphytic plants where it takes refuge, in temperate and humid zones. It has a prehensile tail thanks to which it can move between the trees. It measures around 10 cm long, plus another 16 cm that the tail can measure, its head is flat and the body is flattened. It has a bright bluish or greenish coloration, which makes it very striking and can sometimes be known as "little blue dragon".
This is another of Puebla's endangered animals due to the degradation of its habitat due to the destruction of the environments where it lives, deforestation, fires and agricultural activities that produce changes in the soil. In addition, another threat that puts it in danger is illegal hunting for petism.
Because it is also distributed in Veracruz, this species is also on the list of threatened animals in this state. If you want to know the most vulnerable, consult this article: "Animals in danger of extinction in Veracruz".
Altiplano salamander (Ambystoma velasci)
The Altiplano salamander belongs to the family Ambystomatidae, is endemic to Mexico and is currently only found in the states of Puebla and HidalgoIt lives in grassland environments and pine and oak forests, at more than 1,800 m.a.s.l. Its build is robust and it measures between 5 and 12 cm long from the snout to the cloaca. It has a long tail that sometimes exceeds the length of the body. Its coloration ranges from dark brown to black and with greenish or yellow spots on the back, on the ventral part and on the upper part of the extremities.
Although there are still current populations of this species, in some regions where it lived there are no longer records of it. Among its main threats are the pollution and destruction of the environments where it is found today, especially due to population growth, the extraction of water that has led to the desiccation of its habitats, deforestation and the introduction of exotic species of fish that compete or prey on it. For all these reasons, the axolotl is considered one of the most endangered animals in all of Mexico.
Tyrant Eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus)
Also known as black goshawk eagle, it belongs to the Acccipitridae family and is found in various states of Mexico, including Puebla. It inhabits areas of humid forests, secondary forests and gallery forests, always with open areas, since it is a species associated with this type of environment. It is a species of bird of prey that measures about 70 cm long and its wingspan reaches 140 cm. It is characterized by its dark plumage of opaque black feathers with a crest on its head and its long tail with three characteristic gray bands.
This type of eagle is another of the animals in danger of extinction in Puebla and other states of the country, which is why there are currently several protected natural areas that include places where this bird lives. Its main threats are deforestation and the destruction of its habitats, since the forests where this species is present are increasingly reduced, in addition, hunting for its consumption may be common in some areas. Another factor that also puts it in danger is forest fires.
Ribbon rabbit (Romerolagus diazi)
Also known as the volcano rabbit, tepolito or teporingo, it belongs to the Leporidae family and is a species endemic to central from Mexico, which is present in Puebla. It is found in environments within the neovolcanic system of Mexico, in areas of alpine grasslands and dense vegetation, known as zacatonales, above almost 3,000 and up to 4,000 meters above sea level. It is a kind of rabbit that measures approximately 30 cm with a small tail and ears that do not usually exceed 4 cm long. Its fur is short and ocher in color, with yellowish tones and whiter in the nape area.
The greatest threat that has caused this rabbit to be placed on the list of animals in danger of extinction in Puebla is the destruction and fragmentation of habitatswhere you live because of the improper afforestation of trees in grassland areas, also, poorly planned fires and grazing. In addition, the advance of urbanization is another cause that has led the zacatuche rabbit to be in danger of extinction.
Green Macaw (Ara militaris)
This bird belongs to the Psittacidae family, whose populations are distributed from Mexico to Argentina, being very restricted in the State of Puebla, in the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley. It inhabits low and medium semi-deciduous forests and also in pine-oak transition areas, as well as in more arid zones. It is a very striking and colorful species, with green plumage on almost the entire body and part of the neck and the upper feathers of the tail, which is very long, blue, while the rest is reddish and the wings are yellowish olive. In addition, the base of the beak has intense red plumage and around the eyes it has no feathers. It is between 65 and 75 cm long and has a wingspan of just over 1 meter.
The status of the green macaw is critical, as it is in danger of extinction mainly due to illegal hunting for the pet trade, which not only catches chicks, but also breeding adults. In addition, the fragmentation of their environments causes their distribution area to shrink more and more.
