Mexico is a country famous for its food and its particular celebration of the Day of the Dead. Did you know that various animal species also live in it? Some of them are unique to the Mexican territory, that is, they cannot be found in other parts of the world.
Are you interested in meeting the endemic animals of Mexico? Next, on our site, we offer you a list with the most representative examples, keep reading!
1. Axolotl
The axolotl (Ambystoma mexicacum) is one of the characteristic animals of Mexico The species is endemic to the Xochimilco Valley, where it lives in lagoons and shallow channels. It feeds on fish, worms and crustaceans. To know all the details of their diet, consult the following article: "What do axolotls eat?".
Unfortunately, the axolotl is in critical danger of extinction due to pollution, the destruction of its habitat, the introduction of other species with which it must compete and traffic to be used in medicine or as a pet.
two. Yucatecan sardine
The Yucatecan sardine (Fundulus persimilis) is a species endemic to the waters surrounding the Yucatan Peninsula. It is only 15 centimeters long, it feeds on seedlings, invertebrates and small fish.
Little is known about the life and reproduction habits of the Yucatecan sardine, however, it is in danger of extinctiondue to pollution and indiscriminate fishing.
3. Gulf of Mexico fringed fish
Among the examples of species endemic to Mexico is the fringed fish (Gymnachirus texae), a species that inhabits soft sands of the sea floor. It is characterized by having an oval body with dark stripes, a feature that gives this curious fish its name.
There is little information about the species, since its population is neither abundant nor does it represent a danger to humans. However, sometimes it is fish to serve as food, although this is rare.
4. Pygmy Jay
The pygmy jay (Cyanolyca nana) is another of Mexico's typical animals. It measures about 24 centimeters and weighs 40 grams, it is distributed in the humid forests of Xalapa and between Oaxaca and Caripán.
The species is characterized by its dark blue plumage with black areas and a light chest. It is part of the passerine birds, an order to which more than half of the world's birds belong, and which are distinguished by being singers.
5. Gulf Spiny Iguana
This species of iguana (Ctenosaura acanthura) inhabits the area northern Mexico, where it lives in wooded areas with trees and rocks. It feeds on leaves and fruits it finds.
The Gulf spiny iguana is diurnal and loves to bask in the sun, like other species of iguana. It is easy to recognize by its dark bodyor topped with pointed scales on the back area.
6. Tehuantepec Hare
Other of the animals of Mexico is the Tehuantepec hare (Lepus flavigularis), a species that inhabits the savannahs of Oaxaca and the Gulf of Tehuantepec It is characterized by bright brown fur on its back, white abdomen and two black stripes that go down from its ears to its neck.
Little is known about the number of specimens or their breeding period, but it is one of the largest jackrabbits in Mexico. However, the IUCN indicates that it is an endangered species.
7. Vaquita porpoise
The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus) is a cetacean endemic to the Gulf of California, located in the waters surrounding the Mexican states of Sinaloa and Sonora. The species measures 1.5 meters and weighs only 50 kilos. It feeds on different fish and squid.
This species is among the characteristic animals of Mexico, since it is only possible to find it in that small area of the gulf. There are various national programs aimed at its conservation, since it is in critical danger of extinction, being one of the most threatened marine animals in the world.
8. Mexican Pygmy Viper
Another example of a species endemic to Mexico is the Mexican pygmy viper (Croatalus ravus). It is a venomous snake that inhabits the mountains surrounding Tehuantepec, as well as Veracruz, Morelos, Guerrero, Puebla and Oaxaca, among other areas. If you want to know other poisonous snakes, don't miss this article: "The most poisonous snakes in the world".
The species reaches 70 centimeters in length and has a varied skin color, although 4 rings around the end of the tail are common.
9. Mexican Prairie Dog
The prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) is another of the animals of Mexico, a species of rodent that is found only in the area between Coahuila de Zaragoza and MatehualaIt is a species that feeds, mostly, on plants and herbs, but sometimes it also consumes insects.
The prairie dog has long been considered a crop pest, so it is now in danger of extinction.
10. Teporingo
The teporingo or volcano bunny (Romerolagus diazi) inhabits the volcanic highlands of Mexico, in the thick grasslands that grow around it. Its diet is herbivorous and it lives in groups of up to 6 individuals.
This species is distinguished by measuring 30 centimeters and weighing just over half a kilo. It has yellow and black fur with ocher areas.
eleven. Cozumel Raccoon
The Cozumel raccoon or pygmy raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus) is another of Mexico's endemic animals. It inhabits only the Cozumel Island, close to the Yucatan Peninsula.
This is a species that feeds on lizards, insects and small marine animals, but also eats fruits and vegetables. It weighs only 4 kilos and has brown fur with a black stripe over its eyes.
12. Mexican Scorpion
The Mexican scorpion (Vaejovis mexicanus) is a species found in Mexico City and Tlaxcala, where it prefers to live on logs, among rocks and in burrows.
The species is characterized by a dark brown color with lighter pincers. Its sting, although pointed, does not represent a danger to humans. It measures only 5 centimeters and feeds on other smaller insects. If you want to discover scorpions that can pose a threat, don't miss this article: "The most poisonous scorpions in the world".
13. Mexican Mole Lizard
The mole lizard (Bipes biporus) is one of the most curious looking animals in Mexico. It is a reptile with an elongated and thin body, similar to an earthworm, but with two front legs that help it move on rocky ground.
Distributed between Cabo de San Lucas and Sebastián Vizcaíno Bay. It is a carnivorous animal, so it feeds on insects, earthworms and lizards.
14. Charal de Alchichica
The Alchichica charal (Poblana Alchichica) is a fish that inhabits the fresh waters of the central Mexican highlands It is difficult to know its exact distribution, so the number of its population or many of its life habits are unknown. For this reason, the IUCN considers the species to be in a critical state of extinction.
This is a group-living fish that measures 3 to 5 cm long, making it very small.
fifteen. Tamaulipas Owl
The Tamaulipas owl (Glaucidium sanchezi) is distributed in a small area, in the forests between Tamaulipas and Tamazunchale. It is a owl that is only 13 centimeters long and weighs around 60 grams.
The species feeds on other smaller animals, such as rodents and lizards. It has brown plumage with some darker areas.
16. Chingolo serrano
The Serrano Chingolo (Xenospiza baileyi) is a songbird that is part of the list of typical animals of Mexico. Its exact distribution is uncertain, as it is in danger of extinction. It is known to inhabit the highlands of the Sierra Madre and some volcanic areas.
The Chingolo is characterized by having a reddish plumage with white areas towards the center, in addition to various stripes that run through its body.
17. Mountain Nauyaca from Guerrero
Another example of animals in Mexico, the nauyaca from Guerrero (Mixcoatlus barbouri) is a terrestrial snake that is distributed throughout the discharges from the state of Guerrero.
The species is characterized by having an elongated body of 50 centimeters with reddish scales that exhibit a darker striped pattern and even black in some specimens.
18. Aquatic Box Turtle
The aquatic box turtle (Terrapene coahuila) inhabits the humid areas of Coahuila de Zaragoza, although the exact number of its population. In fact, it is considered to be in danger of extinction.
The species can live up to 50 years and feeds on snails, insects, earthworms, flowers, fungi and berries.
19. Banana Bat
The banana bat (Musonycteris harrisoni) is a species that is distributed among the forests and caves found between Michoacán, Guerrero, Morelos and Colima.
This animal species endemic to Mexico feeds on insects, nectar and flower pollen. It is in danger of extinction due to the destruction of its habitat. To know more types of bats, consult this other article: "Types of bats and their characteristics".
twenty. Pygmy Spotted Skunk
The spotted skunk (Spilogale pygmaea) is a species that inhabits the wooded areas that surround the Mexican Pacific coast. It is a nocturnal animal that feeds on berries, insects, fruit, small birds and lizards.
The species is characterized by black fur with white stripes above the eyes, back and sides.
Other endemic species of Mexico
Although the above are the most representative endemic animals of Mexico, the truth is that they are not the only ones. Below we show other examples of endemic species of Mexico:
- Canyon Crab (Pseudothelphusa dugesi)
- Regal Acocil (Procambarus regiomontanus)
- Hope butterfly (Papilio hope)
- Charal de Almoloya (Poblana ferdebueni)
- Quechulac Charal (Poblana squamata)
- Western Sierra Madre Frog (Lithobates sierramadrensis)
- Great Crested Toad (Bufo cristatus)