Exceptional biodiversity
The Yucatán Peninsula has a wide variety of vegetation, with tropical dry forests and savannahs in the central and northwestern parts of the peninsula, tropical rainforests and floodplains in the south, and mangrove and swamp areas on the coasts. 2,300 species of vascular plants have been recorded, of which 5% are endemic, and 680 have medicinal uses. The Yucatán Peninsula is home to 543 species of birds, 118 reptiles and 60 bats. The region is also home to many endangered mammals, such as the jaguar, the spider monkey, the tapir, and the anteater. To protect the fauna and flora, both terrestrial and marine, 25 protected areas (biosphere reserves, national parks, fauna and flora protection areas and sanctuaries) have been created, covering more than 8.5 million hectares. In addition, there are private nature reserves managed by communities or nature conservation organizations.
To your binoculars and cameras!
Most of the nature reserves and parks are open to the public. Accompanied by local guides, it is possible to observe a great quantity of species. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the main animals that can be observed during your wanderings in the peninsula.
Birds. The Yucatan Peninsula has 543 species of birds, more than half of the total number of species found in Mexico. The birdwatchers have therefore something to enjoy with many endemic species, and others migrating from the north of the continent during the winter. For seabirds, head for Isla Contoy, a small virgin island considered the most important bird refuge in the Mexican Caribbean, with more than 150 species listed (frigatebird, cormorant, coffee pelican, heron, etc.). On the Gulf of Mexico side, in the Ría Celestún and Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserves, the star is the Caribbean flamingo(Phoenicopterus ruber ruber). This species of flamingo is large and very colorful. Its bright pink is close to red, due to its diet of shrimp and larvae rich in carotene. These wild estuaries are also home to hundreds of other bird species. The archaeological sites are also good places for birdwatchers, but especially at dawn or dusk, when the tourists are not there. Cobá in the middle of the rainforest is among the most interesting from a birdwatching point of view. One can observe there for example the Toucan with carene(Ramphastos sulfuratus) with its pretty beak in the shape of banana, and many parrots. The guacamaya(Ara macao) with its red, yellow and blue plumage is one of the most beautiful birds in the world. A bird in serious danger of extinction because of poaching and destruction of its habitat. Indeed, it requires vast rainforests. The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is one of the best places to see it. We can also find a species of eagle with a wingspan of up to 2.20 meters, the Fierce Harpy. Considered the most powerful bird of prey in the world, it feeds mainly on monkeys and sloths that it catches in the canopy... In the reserve of Calakmul, it is also possible, always with the help of good ornithologist guides, to see the superb quetzal, the mythical bird of the Maya. As for the Blue-browed Motmot(Eumomota superciliosa), Toh in Maya, it is a beautiful colored bird whose tail is separated in two with a part without feathers. When the Motmot is posed, it wags its tail like a pendulum, hence its nickname of pendulum bird. Usually living near cenotes, it was an indicator of the presence of water for the Maya who dedicated several legends to it. The Toh has also become the emblem of the Festival de las Aves Toh (www.festivalavesyucatan.com). This annual birding event, held in Merida, features bird drawing and photo contests, lectures and workshops, and the traditional Xoc Ch' Ich' (xoc means "count" and ch'ich' means "bird") marathon, held in November, which aims to identify as many bird species as possible in a set time.
Mammals. The tropical forests of the region are home to armadillos, coatis, paca(agouti), tree squirrels(ardilla arbórea), opossums(zarigüeya), white-tailed deer(venado de cola blanca), tapir, anteaters(oso hormiguero), spider monkeys(mono araña), howler monkeys(mono aullador), among others. Felines such as the jaguarundí, tigrillo, puma, ocelot and jaguar, need large unfragmented territories to survive. The jaguar(balam in Maya) is the mythical animal of the Maya, linked to the night and the underworld. There are only 4,800 individuals left in Mexico, a third of them in the peninsula. The biggest cat of the continent lives in the biosphere reserves Calakmul, Ría Lagartos, Ría Celestún, Sian Ka'an and some other protected areas. As for the manatee(manatí), it is also very rare. This large herbivorous aquatic mammal, nicknamed "sea cow", lives in the lagoons and coastal marshes of the Caribbean.
Reptiles and amphibians. Iguanas, lizards, frogs... are easy to see in the peninsula, especially in the reserves of Rio Lagarto, Celestún and Sian Ka'an. Beware of the crocodiles(lagartos) that can be seen in the mangrove, on the beaches near swampy areas, or even in some cenotes, where they become real mascots! Attacks are rare, but not impossible! Their presence is generally indicated. Another reptile in front of which one is not too smart: the snake. 57 species have been counted in the Yucatan Peninsula, but only 5 are potentially dangerous. Snakes have always aroused fascination, forging admiration and respect. Among the Maya, Kukulkan, the famous "feathered serpent" is the deity of resurrection and reincarnation. He is represented at the bottom of the northern staircase of the pyramid of Kukulkán of Chichén Itzá. As for the marine turtles, the Yucatan Peninsula is the nesting place of 4 of the 7 species present in the world: hawksbill turtle(Eretmochelys imbricata), green turtle(Chelonia mydas), loggerhead turtle(Caretta caretta) and leatherback turtle(Dermochelys coriacea). You can meet them during a dive or even swim with them in the Akumal bay. It is necessary to take great care to observe them on the beaches when they come to lay their eggs. For this, go with a responsible organization and respect scrupulously its instructions, not to endanger the delicate nesting process. Turtles come to the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico (Laguna de Terminos, Rías Celestún and Lagartos...) as well as to those of the Caribbean (Holbox, Isla Contoy...). Volunteer programs to protect them are proposed, notably by the Pronatura Foundation(www.pronatura-ppy.org).
Insects. They are rarely sought after by tourists! The most appreciated are undoubtedly the butterflies(mariposa). Among the tens of thousands of species on the peninsula, the morpho is one of the easiest to spot, because of its wingspan (20 cm for the largest) and its bright blue color. In reality, morphos are not blue, it is the reflection of light on the tiny scales of its wings that gives this color. As for the bees, one of them is particularly important in Mexico: the melipona. The "sacred bee of the Maya" is charming with its blue eyes and its lack of sting! It is a beekeeper's dream: it does not sting, produces a lot and gives excellent quality honey!
Dive with the sharks and hunt lionfish!
The marine life around the peninsula is varied and colorful. Whether in the Caribbean Sea or in the Gulf of Mexico, there are spectacularly colored fish, sea turtles, dolphins, groupers, barracudas, octopuses, moray eels, sharks...
It is especially on the Caribbean side that divers will enjoy themselves. Off Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy and Holbox, from mid-January to the end of February, a massive migration of sardines ("sardine run") attracts dolphins, tuna and the magnificent sailfish, the fastest fish in the world! From the marlin family, they measure 2 to 3 meters, and their jaws end in a long sharp rostrum. The sailfish owes its name to its dorsal fin in the shape of a sail, which allows it to reach a crazy speed of 110 km/h! The other major event in this area takes place between May and September, with the presence of whale sharks that come to feed on plankton and tiny tuna eggs. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, it can reach 20 meters long and weigh 30 tons. With its gigantic mouth, this shark (called whale only for its size) feeds mainly on algae, plankton and micro-organisms. The placid giant is completely harmless to humans and agencies offer to swim with it.
For even more thrills, you should go down to Playa del Carmen. A 10-minute boat ride from the coast is one of the few places in the world where you can come face to face with the dreaded bulldog shark (the author of frequent attacks in Reunion Island in particular, but no cases have been recorded here). The season to see them is from mid-November to mid-February, but December and January are the best months. In the same place, you can see some stingrays playing hide and seek in the white sand.
The island of Cozumel is home to the best diving sites in the region. Amidst the flamboyant corals, marine life is abundant: parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, turtles, groupers, nurse sharks, barracudas, octopus, moray eels, lobsters, etc. Eagle rays are present in the north of the island between December and February.
During your underwater explorations, if you come across the lionfish(pez león), be very careful with its long venomous spines along its dorsal fin, the sting is very painful. But this invasive species from the Indo-Pacific region is especially dangerous for local ecosystems. With no predators in the Caribbean, it proliferates at great speed and causes an ecological imbalance in the reefs, at the expense of local species. In the Yucatán peninsula, it is the only species authorized to be hunted during a scuba dive. This is a good thing, as its flesh is delicious and many recipes are distributed to encourage its commercial fishing!
