10 Animals You’ll Only Find in Mexico — Their Natural Habitat

Mexico is a country full of contrasts and natural wonders, with diverse landscapes that include mountains, deserts and jungles. For these reasons, the climate, vegetation, flora and fauna vary according to geographic location. The country also has animals that are not found anywhere else in the world. And, although many of them are little known, they are really fantastic and intriguing.

O awesome.club created a list of the 10 endemic animals of Mexico, that is, that are exclusively from that country. Check out!

The Axolotl is an amphibian that lives at the bottom of lakes in the Xochimilco region, near Mexico City. It is a unique and special animal because, unlike other amphibians, it maintains its larval appearance even as an adult. The gills, which help it breathe, are located outside its body and are feather-like. This animal still retains the tadpole’s dorsal fin.

He is considered extraordinary for being able to regenerate tissue. For example, if Aloxote loses a limb, it regenerates it in a matter of weeks. It does the same with the medulla and retina. And all that enormous work leaves no scars. Unfortunately, the Mexican Axolotl is an endangered species, due to contamination of its natural habitat.

The name came about because of the dark spots around the eyes of this animal, which resemble those of a cow. It is the smallest cetacean in the world; females measure around 1.40 m in length; and adult males, 1.35 m. Like dolphins and whales, these animals communicate and locate their food using echolocation, that is, they emit sounds that return as an echo, allowing them to calculate the distance and location of objects and obstacles.

They like to live close to the coast, where the water is murky and shallow, and their natural habitat is exclusively the northern Gulf of California, Mexico. Currently, few specimens of these adorable cetaceans remain, approximately 19, as many died trapped in fishing nets. As they are extremely shy and difficult to see, there is still a lot to learn about them.

The Spiny Iguana can reach more than 1 m from the head to the tip of the tail. The entire length of its body has thorn-shaped scales, hence the origin of its name. She has strong limbs and long claws, which help her climb anywhere.

It is a peaceful reptile, if not disturbed. It feeds on plants, seeds, fruits, insects and small mammals and reptiles. It is present in almost all of Mexico, although it is more common to see it in Veracruz, sunbathing on the roofs of houses.

These small lizards, whose scientific name is abronia graminea, have a striking color, turquoise. For this reason they are very popular as pets. In fact, when they live in captivity, they become green and opaque. The blue color is a result of their diet, but only when they are in the wild. The Mexican alligator lizard lives mainly in Veracruz and Puebla.

If they weren’t in danger of extinction, they could be found elsewhere in Mexico. Illegal sales and indiscriminate killing are also helping to wipe out these beautiful reptiles. Upon encountering them, people often kill them, because they think they are poisonous. But in fact, they are harmless and peaceful.

This hare lives among the sand dunes near the coast of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Its natural habitat is characterized by being arid and wild. It is distinguished from other hares by having two black bands running the length of its body and can measure up to 60 centimeters on average.

It is very agile and fast, the front teeth grow as they wear out. Although it is not a target for hunters, since its meat is not as good as that of the rabbit, this species is in serious danger of disappearing, as its habitat is, with each passing day, being reduced due to urbanization.

It also receives other names, such as rabbit of the volcanoes or teporingo. The term “zacatuche” comes from the Nahuatl language and has to do with the place where this species lives: in the pastures at the foot of the Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl volcanoes. This animal is small, has short, rounded ears, tiny paws and tail.

They are group-dwelling rabbits, they are territorial and defend their burrows bravely. But when it comes to feeding, there is no danger that will inhibit them and it is possible to see groups of zacatuche grazing, even in the rain. Deforestation and the urbanization of their habitat have put them at risk of extinction and today the possibility of raising them in captivity is being studied to propagate the species.

It is a ground squirrel, which has nothing to do with dogs, it is only called that because it makes sounds very similar to the barking of puppies. He looks a bit like the marmot, but is smaller. It is very useful for the ecosystem because, when digging its burrows, it helps to oxygenate the soil, making it permeable, as well as controlling the species of shrubs that compact the soil and prevent the development of pastures.

There are 5 species of these rodents that live in different regions of the world, but there is only one present on Mexican soil: the Cynomys mexicanus – scientific name. But, like many other animals unique to the Mexican fauna, it is also at risk of extinction. Their natural habitats, in San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Coahuila and Nuevo León, are getting smaller and smaller due to urbanization.

The name “raccoon” comes from the Nahuatl language and means “who has hands”. This is the main characteristic of the pygmy raccoon or Cozumel: it uses its front paws as hands. As for food, it does not deprive itself of anything, as it is omnivorous. What makes it so special is its ability to reproduce sounds, being able to purr, scream, hiss, growl and even neigh.

It is smaller than the common raccoon and lives only in a small area on the island of Cozumel. Due to tourism, their home is slowly disappearing, just like these cute animals. It is estimated that the current population has 250 to 300 specimens.

Only the male sports charming orange feathers with green tips. This bird, a species of the hummingbird family, lives only in regions of tropical mountain forests, located in the State of Guerrero.

When it feeds on the nectar of flowers, it does so slowly, so it can be mistaken for a large moth or a bee. As the lands where it lives are being used for agricultural purposes, this species is at risk of extinction.

The Cozumel Island Toadfish does not live anywhere else in the world, so the island’s reefs are heavily visited by divers, just to see one specimen. Like all frogfish, it doesn’t look pretty either, although this species stands out for its vibrant colors: purple with black and white stripes, yellow mouth, and a stripe that surrounds its 8 phosphorescent yellow fins.

His eyes always point upwards and he lives trapped at the bottom of the sea. The parents keep the young in their mouths until they can take care of themselves and, despite being a fish, they cannot swim.

Certainly other animals were missing from this list. Do you know of other species that live only in Mexico? Which animals are unique where you live? Your comments are very valuable to us. Share them with us! Also share the post if you found it interesting.