Mexico is a country located in the central zone of Latin America, especially known for its historical past, its delicious food and its celebration of the Day of the Dead, which have given the world picturesque images of its culture. The characteristics of the territory vary, predominantly rocky areas, arid soil and even volcanic areas, in which great variety of animals inhabit, many of them typical of the Mexican lands.
This we alth of fauna, however, is being reduced by various threats that endanger the survival of many species. Keep reading this article so you know the 24 animals in danger of extinction in Mexico.
1. Mexican Axolotl
Scientific name Ambystoma mexicanum, it is a creature whose curious appearance earned it the name water monster (axolotl) among the Nahuatl tribe. It is possible to find it in the canals of the city of Xochimilco, but there are fewer and fewer specimens that exist in freedom, so most of them live in aquariums throughout the world.
The most striking thing about the axolotl is not only its appearance and the variety of colors that can stain its body, but also the fact that it is capable of regenerating its own cellular tissuesThe contamination of the waters and the use of the animal's body for medicinal purposes seem to have the days numbered for this little amphibian.
Here we give you more information about Why is the axolotl in danger of extinction?
two. Vaquita porpoise
The cochito or vaquita marina, Phocoena sinus, is a cetacean that only lives in Mexican waters It is estimated that there are less than one hundred Specimens of this species, whose main threat is the negligence of the fishing industry, since they usually die trapped in fishing nets.
It gets its name from the fact that both the eyes and the mouth are surrounded by black spots. It is a quiet species that communicates with its relatives through sound waves.
In this other article on our site we show you more information about Why is the vaquita porpoise in danger of extinction?
Image from elimpartial.com
3. Mexican Gray Wolf
Canis lupus baileyi is a species estimated to survive less than three hundred specimens Its size, smaller than that of any other wolf, can be compared to that of a medium dog. It lived in Mexico and in certain areas of North America, but currently only exists in captivity. His greatest threat was the human being, since the ranchers of the areas from which he was native took charge of practically exterminating him.
In the past the Mexican gray wolf was not considered a danger, and there is even evidence that was a cult object in Teotihuacan and was related to the goddess Chantico, for being a symbol of bravery.
4. Scarlet Macaw
The Ara macao is a species of brightly colored macaw, predominantly red on the body and blue, green and yellow on the wings. The illegal sale of birds is what has reduced this species, causing there to be only about thirty thousand copies around the world, and that in Mexico they can only be seen in Chiapas
This macaw has been associated with the Mayan deity Vucub-Caquix, but not even that has been able to stop those who seek to profit from the beauty of this exotic animal.
You may also be interested in this other article on our site about Is the blue macaw in danger of extinction?
5. Mexican Prairie Dog
The Cynomys mexicanus is a small rodent with a funny and adorable appearance, which however is in danger of extinction due to the strong attacks it has received from farmers, who consider that it destroys the crops by feeding of them, while ignoring the important role it has in their ecosystem.
It is native to the Coahuila and S altillo areas, but currently there are no records on the number of copies left.
Image from greglasley.com
6. Caribbean or Antillean Manatee
It is thought that less than two thousand specimens of Trichechus manatus survive, since it is hunted for its meat since the time of colonization from America, after the Spanish discovered that it was not a mermaid, as they initially believed.
It is also threatened by the destruction of its habitat and the negligence of fishermen, as they frequently collide with the motors of boats and small boats. It not only exists in the waters around Mexico, but its presence extends to Brazil, where it is possible to find it in the Amazon River.
7. Jaguar
The Panthera onca is believed to exist between ten thousand and fifteen thousand specimens. It may seem that its risk is lower than that of the other species mentioned, but it is a feline, the largest in the New Continent, which was adored by pre-Hispanic culturesand considerate symbol of power and protection
There is evidence that this solitary feline has inhabited the Earth for about 2 million years, so its extinction would be a great tragedy not only historically, but also for ecosystems. It is threatened both by the destruction of its habitat, which makes the prey on which it feeds disappear, and by the persecution of man, who kills it when considering it a danger to the populations.
8. Braid or Central American Tapir
The Tapirus bairdii is only one of the several species of tapir that exist, which is why, among others, it is related to the tapir. It is thought that there are less than two thousand alive, despite the fact that it is an animal of calm character and that it fulfills a vital role for the areas of Mexico and other Latin American countries where you live.
Its curious appearance, so different from that of other mammals, suggests that it is a prehistoric species that has survived and evolved over time. It is threatened by deforestation and indiscriminate hunting.
9. Yellow-headed Parrot
The Amazon oratrix is a species of brightly colored parrot that mixes green, yellow and red in its plumage. Its main ability is also the reason why it is in danger of extinction: this parrot is capable of imitating different sounds,including the voice of man, so who is a victim of hunting and commercialization.
10. Loggerhead Turtle
The illegal hunting of this species and the commercialization of its eggs is what has led to the Caretta caretta becoming vulnerable. As if that were not enough, natural predators also threaten the existence of this species, because when they break their shells they must run to the sea, and many are devoured before this. It is not native to Mexico, but innumerable specimens arrive on its shores each year to spawn, coming from Japanese waters.
In the past, this tortoise was part of the imagination of various indigenous cultures,but today there are only about fifty thousand specimens capable of breed.
eleven. Teporingo
Also called volcano bunny, the Romerolagus diazi is a small mammal that lives mainly in areas of high altitudes, or in forests with abundant vegetation. There is no data on the quantity that is conserved and the danger that it runs is imminent, since it is not yet found in any captive breeding program.
The main causes that put it at risk are the deterioration of its habitat, reducing the spaces suitable for its survival, anddeforestation.
Image by jaimerojo.photoshelter.com
12. Ocelot
Slightly less than two million copies of the Leopardus pardalis survive, a feline that also held a place in the imagination of pre-Hispanic civilizations, including the Mayans, the Mexica and the Olmec. Although the population is greater than that of other endangered species, there are fewer and fewer ocelots in the world, due to trafficking of their skin, in addition to the destruction of the ecosystems where they live.
13. Transvolcanic mask
The transvolcanic mascarita, whose scientific name is Geothlypis speciosa, is another animal in danger of extinction in Mexico. In fact, it had been more than 10 years since no specimen of this beautiful bird had been sighted in Laguna de Yuriria, Guanajuato. However, recently, the State Institute of Ecology of the State of Guanajuato (IEE) confirmed the presence of the transvolcanic mascarita thanks to the monitors of the flora and fauna of the area.
The transvolcanic mascarita only lives in swampy areas of the State of Mexico, Michoacán, Guanajuato and the Lerma River, hence, Despite its recent sighting, it is still considered an endangered animal in Mexico.
14. American black bear
The black bear (Ursus americanus), also called the American black bear, is another of the most recent endangered Mexican animals. Illegal hunting and the destruction of its habitat are the main reasons why this species is in danger of extinction.
Today its level of danger of extinction is considered to be increasing but minor concern, so for now its situation not alarming. In addition to Mexico, the black bear is found in Canada, Alaska, being the most common bear in North America. It is estimated that there are currently between 500,000 and 750,000 copies
fifteen. Cozumel Raccoon or Pygmy Raccoon
Scientifically known as Procyon pygmaeus, the pygmy raccoon or Cozumel raccoon is another endangered species in Mexico. It is considered critically endangered internationally, not only in Mexico, due to its tiny range, which has led it in a very short time to suffer from island dwarfism , that is, an evolutionary process suffered by species that live in closed environments to be able to survive and adapt to scarce resources.
The Cozumel raccoon is endemic to the island of Cozumel, which has only 478 square kilometers. As a curious fact, it should be noted that on this island there are other carnivorous animals with insular dwarfism, such as the dwarf coati or the dwarf gray fox.
In this other article we explain everything about the raccoon's habitat.
16. Shrew of Los Tuxtlas
The Los Tuxlas shrew, also called the Mexican shrew or Nelson's shrew and scientifically known as Cryptotis nelsoni, has a case similar to that of the transvolcanic mascarita. In this case, it is an animal which was believed to be extinct since 1894, at which time it was discovered and was no longer seen a short time later.
However, more than a century later, two Mexican scientists sighted 3 specimens of the Los Tuxtlas shrew. It is considered critically endangered due to its rare sighting. In 1793, a volcano in the Mexican area of San Martin de Tuxtla in Veracruz eruptedIt is believed that the destruction of the vegetation around the crater led to the Los Tuxtlas shrew being practically exterminated.
17. Imperial Woodpecker or Imperial Woodpecker
The Campephilus imperialis, commonly known as the imperial woodpecker or imperial woodpecker, is considered critically endangered by the IUCN, although it is believed that it may already be extinct There are no reliable records of its appearance since 1956, therefore, also due to the destruction of its habitat and illegal hunting, it is believed that this species could be extinct.
However, since 1965, that is, 11 years after the last confirmed record, there have been 8 sightings of this Mexican animal, the last one in 1995However, an expedition was carried out through the north and center of Durango, where the sightings occurred, but no signal was found. At the moment, they cannot consider the Imperial Woodpecker officially extinct, as it may have migrated to other areas to survive.
18. San José Island Bush Rabbit
The scrub rabbit of San José Island, whose scientific name is Sylvilagus mansuetus, is another of the Mexican animals in danger of extinction, being considered in critically endangeredIt is an endemic species of the small island of San José, barely 170 square kilometers.
It is believed that there are only about 25-35 individuals per square kilometer, which makes it difficult to reproduce. Another reason why the San José Island bush rabbit is in danger of extinction is due to predators, habitat destruction and hunting.
19. Greater Prying Frog
Another of Mexico's endangered species is the greater prying frog, also known as Eleutherodactylus grandis. It is a species of amphibian endemic to the Federal District of Mexico that lives only in the Pedregal, in the surroundings of the Xitle volcano, and that is critically endangered
This frog is in danger of extinction due to the destruction of its habitat and climate change, since it needs to live in very wet. In fact, it has been shown that as the temperature of the environment increases, the greater prying frog stops making its peculiar mating and alarm song.
twenty. Picote tequila
The tequila picote, also known as Zoogoneticus tequila, is one of the endangered species in Mexico. Its conservation status is somewhat more critical than in other animals, since it is estimated that there are only about 80 specimens of the tequila picote. This species of freshwater fish was thought extinct in the wild in 1998 However, there were sightings of Tequila Picote Fish a few years later.
Since 2016, this species has been part of the species reintroduction program at the local level, since it only lives in Jalisco, Mexico.
twenty-one. Woolly Gopher
The Woolly Gopher, scientifically known as Heterogeomys lanius, is another of Mexico's endangered animals. These small rodents live only in the mountains of Veracruz, Mexico, at an altitude of between 2,400 and 3,000 meters, and are Critically Endangered since 2008
The reasons why the Woolly Gopher is in danger of extinction is the destruction of its habitat for agriculture, the loss (due to to this) of the individuals that manage to reach adulthood, as well as the competition for territory with other animals.
22. Pocket Turtle
The tortoise, known scientifically by the name Gopherus flavomarginatus, is native to Mexico, more specifically to Chihuahua, Coahuila and Durango, and is critically endangered.
The causes that the pocket turtle is in danger of disappearing are mainly climate change, seismic activities and human hunting for its meat. Today, it is estimated that there are about 2,500 specimens of the Baggins turtle in Mexico.
23. Warrior Coquette
Scientifically known by the name Lophornis brachylophu s, the Guerrero coquette is a critically endangered Mexican bird. In fact, it is estimated that there are less than 1 left.000 specimens of this precious species, and its population continues to decrease.
In the 1990s, the Guerrero coquette began to disappear due to the destruction of its habitat for illegal cultivation for drug trafficking, so its extinction is being fast and recent. It is estimated that every 10 years, 10-19% of the specimens of the Coquette of Guerrero disappear.
24. Quetzal
Another threatened species in Mexico is the Quetzal, scientifically known as Pharomachrus mocinno. Although it is not a species that lives exclusively in Mexico, it is the Mexican Quetzal that is the most threatened of all.
The Quetzal is in danger of extinction for various reasons, mainly due to deforestation and climate changeIn Mexico, moreover, for a few years there were cases of illegal poaching towards the Quetzal, although today this activity has decreased considerably.
The Quetzal also lives in Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and western Panama.
