The Amazing Fauna Of Mexico Part 3

There are so many different animals in Mexico that it can be tough to count! The country ranks first in the world in terms of reptile diversity, and ranks in the top 10 with birds and mammals. From the tropical forests of the Yucatan to the arid Sonora desert, there are all sorts of animals to keep an eye out for. Try to spot these on your next vacation.

Volcano Rabbit

The Volcano Rabbit is also called the teporingo. It's the second smallest rabbit in the world, weighing between 0.86 and 1.3 pounds. It is very difficult to see during its twilight hunting trips because of it's thick gray fur, short legs and rounded ears. In a tiny part of Mexico, in the state of Puebla, on the slopes of the Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcanoes, lives the volcano rabbit. It scavenges crops from corn farms but mainly lives on leaves and grasses. Unfortunately, hunters use the volcano rabbit as target practice precisely because it is a pest to farmers. Mexican animal preservation groups have outlined an action plan to boost the endangered population and integrate it into the rest of the local ecosystem. Special among rabbit species, the volcano rabbit makes unique high-pitched warning calls to its kin; they thump their feet on the ground when they must warn others rabbits of danger, but otherwise make no sound.

Tehuantepec Jackrabbit

This rare jackrabbit is only found in the dunes and savannas of Oaxaca, Mexico; the existence of only three small populations are known. They are one of the largest jackrabbit species in the world, weighing between 7.7 and 8.8 pounds; they have brown-gray fur with two distinctive black stripes running from the base of their ears to the nape of their necks. Like all jackrabbits, the Tehuantepec has very large ears and legs. They sleep under bushes during the day, and are active mainly at dusk and dawn, as they are nocturnal animals. The Tehuantepec Jackrabbit is critically endangered; human poachers, gray foxes and coyotes are their main predators.

Greater Earless Lizard

This reptile is found in the western states of Mexico, including Sonora, Durango, and Nuevo Leon. It is the only member of its genus, making it very genetically unique in comparison with other lizard species. The Greater Earless gets its name from the fact that they lack any external ear holes; this is an evolutionary adaptation to prevent sand from getting inside their bodies. The lizards burrow into the hot desert surface to rest when the sun is highest. They are normally tan or gray, but male Greater Earless lizards will have bright green and blue spots and females will turn orange while carrying their eggs. As masking lizards, they spend most of their time sitting in the sun--sounds like a lifetime vacation!

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