Veracruz is one of the most biodiverse Mexican states thanks to the great diversity of landscapes it houses. The beaches, mountains, jungles, palm groves and savannahs come together to house thousands of species, however, many of them are currently in danger of extinction due to the degradation and fragmentation of these habitats. In addition, several of the animal species that are in danger of extinction are endemic to Veracruz and Mexico, so they do not exist in another part of the world. Some of them are abundant, but their ecological requirements are so specific that they become very sensitive to environmental changes, while others are so difficult to see that only a few specimens are known.
Don't miss this article on our site where we will talk about the most endangered animals in Veracruz, their characteristics and threats.
Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
The ocelot is a feline of the Felidae family that is distributed from the southern United States to South America, in Paraguay and Argentina, and is the third largest feline in America. 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 this species to be in danger of extinction in Veracruz and other parts of its distribution are illegal hunting, either to obtain their skin or due to conflicts with ranchers because they consume poultry, in addition, the destruction of their habitat has increasingly caused the decline of their populations.
Jaguar (Panthera onca)
Also belonging to the Felidae family, the jaguar is the largest feline in the Americas and its distribution ranges from the southern United States to northern Argentina. It occupies a great diversity of environments, from tropical forests to mangrove swamps, thickets, pine forests and mountain oaks, to drier and more arid areas. Taking into account from the head to the tail, it can reach more than 2 meters in length and weigh more than 150 kg in the largest individuals. It is a very robust feline, with orange fur and spots all over its body.
The jaguar is in danger of extinction due to the fragmentation of its habitat, the illegal hunting for its fur or due to conflicts with residents and accidental run overs on highways.
Long-tailed Tlaconete (Pseudoeurycea lineola)
This species of salamander belongs to the Plethodontidae family and is endemic to Mexico It is found in central Veracruz in its preferred habitats: low altitude tropical cloud forests and plantations, up to approximately 1200 meters. It is located under rocks, leaf litter, trunks and any other place that serves as a refuge and provides moisture. It can measure about 15 cm from head to tail, being very cylindrical and twice as long as its body. The limbs are very short, which gives it the appearance of a worm, its snout is rounded and its head is quite small. Their body color varies from dark gray to dull black. It has terrestrial and nocturnal habits and feeds on small invertebrates and their larvae.
This is one of the most endangered animals in Veracruz because it is threatened by the deterioration of its habitat by agricultural activities that pollute the soil and by human settlements that fragment the environment.
Veracruz sole (Citharichthys abbotti)
This species of fish belongs to the Paralichthydae family and lives in the Gulf of Mexico, from Veracruz throughout the Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras. It frequents soft clay and sandy soils and usually reaches up to two meters deep. It measures around 14 cm and, like other flounders, its eyes are located on the left side of its head, its coloration on the ventral part is light and dorsally it has golden tones with dark spots.
Their populations are decreasing due to water pollution, fishing and the increasingly rapid degradation of their territory.
Coatzacoalcos mushroom tongue salamander (Bolitoglossa veracrucis)
This small amphibian belongs to the Plethodontidae family and is endemic to southeastern Veracruz and eastern Oaxaca. It lives in evergreen and mountain tropical forests, but due to the degradation of these habitats it has had to adapt to degraded environments. It measures about 5 cm and its head is robust, with quite large eyes and a rounded snout. Its color is variable, between light brown and yellow, with dark spots along its tail.
It is in serious danger and its populations are shrinking due to human activities, such as the agriculture and livestock industry, are increasingly destroying the environments where this species of salamander is distributed.
Veracruz pygmy salamander (Thorius pennatulus)
This species also belongs to the Plethodontidae family and is endemic to central and western Veracruz It lives in humid tropical and mountain forests, although it can also live in coffee and banana plantations. Like other amphibian species, it associates with rocks, cracks, leaf litter and rotten logs that serve as shelter. It is a very small species that can measure up to 2 cm, its tail is long and its head is robust. It is one of the smallest vertebrates that exists today. Its coloration is dark and it has a lighter colored lateral band on the sides of the body.
This salamander is also part of the list of endangered animals in Veracruz because its populations are declining due to agriculture that fragments its habitat, changes in land use and its pollution, making this species critically endangered.
Swamp Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii)
Also known as the Mexican crocodile or Morelet's crocodile, this species of the Crocodylidae family is an inhabitant of the entire Gulf of Mexico and Central America, and in Veracruz it can be found in different bodies of water, on all in areas of mangroves and flooded jungles, swamps, estuaries and even coastal lagoons. It prefers isolated areas with woody vegetation around to protect it. It is also known that it can tolerate brackish water. It is a medium to small species, which can measure between 3 and 4 meters, its appearance is typical of other types of crocodiles, with a greenish or gray-brown coloration, and its snout is very wide, an aspect that distinguishes it from other species.
Their populations have been threatened for many years, when their skin was highly valued for making shoes, handbags and other items, which is why illegal huntingand the destruction of its habitat are the main threats that have brought this species to the brink of extinction in Veracruz and other places.
Veracruz white grouper (Hypoplectrus castroaguirrei)
Species of fish of the Serranidae family is endemic to Veracruz and inhabits coral reefs in the Gulf of Campeche and can be found up to 12 meters deep. It is a fish that measures around 15 cm long and is white in color, with greenish-yellow fins, black spots under the eyes and at the base of the caudal fin, with blue lines standing out on the head.
Being a species limited to the reef systems of Veracruz, its populations are in danger due to the strong degradation and contamination suffered by these environments, being another of the marine animals in danger of extinction in Veracruz.
Tuxtlean Partridge Pigeon (Zentrygon carrikeri)
Also known as the Veracruz partridge dove, it is a bird that belongs to the Columbidae family, also endemic to Veracruz and inhabits the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, in humid mountain forests and tropical jungles. It is very difficult to observe, since it is restricted to very well preserved areas, where it makes long walks in search of food such as insects, fruits and seeds. It measures between 29 and 30 cm long and its plumage is bluish-grey (from the ventral side the coloration is lighter), with reddish eyes and legs and it is distinguished by having a black line at the end of the cheeks that goes to the neck.
Its main threats are the destruction and reduction of its habitat, which has led to its becoming increasingly isolated and its populations disappear.
Central American Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus)
This is one of the largest primates in the New World, belonging to the Atelidae family. This species is distributed in Mexico, Panama and part of Colombia, inhabits tropical and subtropical forests, cloudy mountain forests and mangroves. With a thin and elongated body, it reaches about 65 cm and its tail contributes about 80 cm more, being vital for its locomotion, since it helps it to move in the tree canopy. His head is small and his eyes are located forward. Its coloration is reddish-brown, with the ventral part lighter. It feeds on fruits and plays a very important role in dispersing its seeds and maintaining the vegetation in the places where it lives.
It is in danger of extinction due to deforestation, fragmentation and loss of the places where it lives and due to hunting and illegal trade, as it is a species used for petting.
Other animals in danger of extinction in Veracruz
Although the above are part of the list of animals in greatest danger of extinction in Veracruz, unfortunately they are not the only ones. Next, we name more threatened species:
- Veracruz Brown Snake (Rhadinaea cuneata)
- Cycad Butterfly (Eumaeus toxea)
- Tlaconete (Parvimolge townsendi)
- Tamaulipan Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis)
- Elisa's Hummingbird (Doricha eliza)
- Dwarf Jay (Cyanolyca nana)
- Carinated Motmot (Electron carinatum)
- Soup Turtle (Claudius angustatus)
- Yellow-headed Parrot or King Parrot (Amazona oratrix)
- Nava Wren (Hylorchilus navai)
- Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus)
- Transvolcanic or Lerma Mascarita (Geothlypis speciosa)
- Rana huasteca (Lithobates johni)
- Royal flycatcher (Onychorhynchus coronatus)
- Mexican Tamandua or Mexican Anteater (Tamandua mexicana)
