Chiapas flora and fauna

The natural region of Chiapas (here you can learn more about the natural regions of Mexico ) is home to a fascinating biodiversity of species thanks, mainly, to the Lacandon Jungle which, with an area of ​​one million hectares, presents 20% of the species Mexico. On the other hand, the Zoque jungle is home to more than 3,500 species of plants. Such biodiversity is conditioned by the relief and the climate of the country.

In its territory, the flora and fauna protection areas of Chiapas are housed , including the Nahá-Metzabok area, a vast protected area of ​​Mexico made up of two protected areas: Metzabok and Nahá. In total, it presents a total of 106 protected areas that include 18 federal, 25 state and 63 municipal.

Biodiversity is also determined by the relief of Chiapas . This country is home to three outstanding systems in its relief: the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, the Pacific Coastal Plain, the Central Plateau, the Central Depression, the Eastern Mountains, the Northern Mountains and the Gulf Coastal Plain.

On the other hand, another factor that influences biodiversity is the climate of Chiapas . In general, Mexico presents between a tropical climate (warm and temperate) humid and sub-humid. However, there are variations given its geographical characteristics. Temperatures generally range between 20ºC and 29ºC, with the lowest temperatures occurring in the Highlands of Chiapas and the highest in the Coastal Plain. In addition, it also presents a clear rainy season, which is mostly centered between June and November, while the dry season occurs from January to May.

Focusing on the living beings that inhabit this area, what type of flora and fauna are there in Chiapas? In the following sections we describe what the flora and fauna of Chiapas is like, mentioning various examples of plants and animals.

In its territory, Chiapas is home to an extensive variety of flora species. Chiapas is characterized by humid jungles, coniferous and oak forests, as well as humid mountain forests and cultivated pastures. The main hot spots of the plant in Chiapas , where is concentrated most of its species, are the mountains of the east, the mountains of the north and the Sierra Madre. Some examples of Chiapas vegetation are:

• Red cedar ( Cedrela odorata ).
• Encinos (Quercus spp.).
• Coyol palm ( Acrocomia aculeata ).
• Sombrerete or tepesuchil ( Terminalia amazonia ).
• Caoba (Swietenia macrophylla).
• Chirimoya (Annona cherimola).

It is worth highlighting the existing concern about the loss of biological diversity in tropical areas, since it is in these areas that approximately half of the species present on Earth are found. Added to all this is the important exploitation of both soil and plant resources in Chiapas by farmers and entrepreneurs in the territory, with non-timber forest exploitation being of particular concern.

¿ What is the wildlife of Chiapas ? This state has more than 5,500 species of wildlife, divided into: 4187 species of invertebrates and 1,368 species of vertebrates, including: 137 species of fish, 101 of amphibians, 214 of mammals, 219 of reptiles and 697 of birds.

Depending on the area, we find some animals or others. For example, in the animals of the humid jungle of Chiapas :

• Frogs
• River otter
• Jaguarundí
• Hummingbird
• lizard pliers
• Burrowing toad
• Fishing bat
• He drinks
• Armadillo
• Monkeys
• Wild pig
• Jaguar
• Zorrillo
• Chipmunk
• Rock and riverbank iguana
• Turipache
• Snakes
• Insects
• Arachnids
• Parrots
• Herons
• Toucans
• Quetzales

In contrast, the animals of the wooded areas of Chiapas :

• Rodents
• Salamandra
• Venado
• Shrew
• Tigrillo
• Tlacuache
• Ocelote
• Little dragon with red lips
• Weasel
• Bat
• Prey birds
• Nauyaca cold snake
• Flying squirrel

On the other hand, the mangroves are inhabited by other Chiapas animals that include, among others:

• Migratory birds , such as white pelicans or long-legged ones.
• Mammals, such as cougars or anteaters.
• Reptiles, such as iguanas, alligators, or turtles.

We must not forget the wealth that Chiapas presents on its coasts . These are some of the animals of the Chiapas coast :

• Hooded turtle
• Shrimp
• Prawns
• Lobsters
• Humpback whales

After having known these examples of flora and fauna of Chiapas , to finish, we mention some of the animals in danger of extinction in Chiapas :

• Water opossum or water fox ( Chironectes minimus )
• Nine-banded armadillo ( Dasypus novemcinctus )
• Oso hormiguero (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
• Horned Curassow ( Oreophasis derbianus )
• Greater harpy or harpy eagle ( Harpia harpyja )
• Mono aullador ( Alouatta palliata )
• Saraguato ( Alouatta pigra )
• Spider monkey ( Ateles geoffroyi )
• Ocelote (Leopardus pardalis)
• Jaguar ( Panthera onca )
• Quetzal ( Pharomachrus mocinno )
• Red-bellied mojarra ( Vieja bifasciata )
• Tortuga golfina (Lepidochelys olivacea)
• Manatí (Trichechus inunguis)
• Tapir (Tapirus bairdii)

Here you can also meet more species of Animals in danger of extinction in Mexico .

If you want to read more articles similar to Flora and fauna of Chiapas , we recommend that you enter our Biodiversity category .