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 nature reserves and parks are open to the public. Accompanied by local guides, you can observe a wide range of species. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the main animals that can be spotted while wandering around the peninsula.
Birds. The Yucatán Peninsula is home to 543 species of birds, more than half of all species found in Mexico. So birdwatchers have plenty to enjoy, with many endemic species, and others migrating from the north of the continent in winter. For seabirds, head for Isla Contoy, a small virgin island considered the most important bird sanctuary in the Mexican Caribbean, with over 150 species listed (frigatebird, cormorant, coffee pelican, heron, etc.). On the Gulf of Mexico, in the Ría Celestún and Ría Lagartos biosphere reserves, the star attraction 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 carotene-rich shrimps and larvae. These wild estuaries are also home to hundreds of other bird species. Archaeological sites are also good places for birdwatchers, but especially at dawn or dusk, when the tourists are away. Cobá in the middle of the rainforest is one of the most interesting from an ornithological point of view. Here, for example, you can observe the Carina Toucan(Ramphastos sulfuratus) with its pretty banana-shaped beak, and numerous parrots. The guacamaya(Ara macao), with its red, yellow and blue plumage, is one of the most beautiful birds in the world. This bird is in serious danger of extinction due to poaching and habitat destruction. It requires vast rainforests. The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is one of the best places to see it. The Fierce Harpy, a species of eagle with a wingspan of up to 2.20 meters, can also be found here. Considered the most powerful bird of prey in the world, it feeds mainly on monkeys and sloths, which it catches in the canopy... In the Calakmul reserve, it is also possible, again with the help of good birdwatching guides, to see the superb quetzal, the mythical bird of the Mayas. As for the Blue-browed Motmot(Eumomota superciliosa), or Toh in Mayan, it's a beautiful, colorful bird whose tail is split in two, with one part devoid of feathers. When the Motmot is at rest, it wags its tail like a pendulum, hence its nickname of "pendulum bird". Generally found near cenotes, it was an indicator of the presence of water for the Mayans, 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 ornithological gathering, held in Mérida, features bird drawing and photo competitions, conferences and workshops, and the traditional Xoc Ch' Ich' marathon (xoc means "count" and ch'ich', "bird"), held in November, which aims to identify as many bird species as possible in a given time.
Mammals. The region's tropical forests 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 jaguarondi, tigrillo, puma, ocelot and jaguar need large, unfragmented territories to survive. The jaguar(balam in Mayan) is the mythical animal of the Maya, linked to the night and the underworld. Only 4,800 individuals remain in Mexico, a third of them on the peninsula. The continent's largest feline lives in the Calakmul, Ría Lagartos, Ría Celestún, Sian Ka'an and other protected biosphere reserves. The manatee(manatí) is also very rare. This large herbivorous aquatic mammal, nicknamed the "sea cow", lives in the lagoons and coastal marshes of the Caribbean.
Reptiles and amphibians. Iguanas, lizards, frogs... are easy to spot on the peninsula, especially in the Río Lagarto, Celestún and Sian Ka'an reserves. Beware of crocodiles(lagartos), which can be seen in mangrove swamps, on beaches close to marshy areas, or even in some cenotes, where they become veritable mascots! Attacks are rare, but not impossible! Their presence is generally indicated. Another reptile not to be trifled with is the snake. 57 species have been recorded in the Yucatán Peninsula, but only 5 are potentially dangerous. Snakes have always aroused fascination, forging admiration and respect. Among the Mayans, Kukulkán, the famous "feathered serpent", is the divinity of resurrection and reincarnation. He is depicted at the bottom of the north staircase of the Kukulkán pyramid in Chichén Itzá. As for sea turtles, the Yucatán Peninsula is home to 4 of the world's 7 nesting species: the hawksbill turtle(Eretmochelys imbricata), the green turtle(Chelonia mydas), the loggerhead turtle(Caretta caretta) and the leatherback turtle(Dermochelys coriacea). You may come across them on an offshore dive, or even swim with them in Akumal Bay. You need to take great care to observe them on the beaches when they come to lay their eggs. To do so, go with a responsible organization and scrupulously respect its instructions, so as 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 those of the Caribbean (Holbox, Isla Contoy...). Volunteer programs to protect them are offered, notably by the Pronatura Foundation(www.pronatura-ppy.org).
Insects. Rarely sought after by tourists! The most popular are undoubtedly the butterflies(mariposa). Among the tens of thousands of species on the peninsula, the morpho is one of the easiest to spot, thanks to its wingspan (20 cm for the largest) and luminous blue color. In reality, morphos aren't blue at all; it's the reflection of light on the tiny scales of their wings that gives them this color. As for bees, one is particularly important in Mexico: themelipona. The "sacred bee of the Mayans" is charming with its blue eyes and lack of sting! It's a beekeeper's dream: it doesn't 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 the Gulf of Mexico, you'll find spectacularly colorful fish, sea turtles, dolphins, groupers, barracudas, octopus, moray eels, sharks...
But it's on the Caribbean side of the island that divers will have the most fun. 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! Members of 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 sail-like dorsal fin, which enables it to reach speeds of up to 110 km/h! The other major event in this area takes place between May and September, when whale sharks come to feed on plankton and tiny tuna eggs. The whale shark is the largest fish in the world, growing up to 20 meters long and weighing 30 tons. With its gigantic mouth, this shark (called a whale purely for its size) feeds mainly on algae, plankton and micro-organisms. The placid giant is totally harmless to humans, and agencies offer to swim in its company.
For even greater thrills, head down to Playa del Carmen. Just a 10-minute boat ride from the coast, you'll find 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 on Reunion Island, for example, but no recorded cases here). The best time to see them is from mid-November to mid-February, but December and January are the best months. In the same area, a few stingrays can be seen playing hide-and-seek in the white sand.
The island of Cozumel is home to some of the best diving in the region. Amid flamboyant coral, marine life abounds: parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, turtles, groupers, nurse sharks, barracudas, octopus, moray eels, lobsters and more. 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), pay close attention to the long venomous spines along its dorsal fin - the sting is very painful. But this invasive species, native to the Indo-Pacific region, is above all dangerous for local ecosystems. With no predators in the Caribbean, it proliferates at high speed and causes ecological imbalance in reefs, at the expense of local species. In the Yucatán Peninsula, it is the only species allowed to be hunted while scuba diving. And just as well, as its flesh is delicious, many recipes are published to encourage commercial fishing!
