Animals in Mexico

Below you can find a complete list of Mexican animals. We currently track 153 animals in Mexico and are adding more every day!

Mexico is among the world’s most diverse countries for exotic animal wildlife. Straddling the line between temperate and tropical America, the Mexican ecosystem is a rich blend of deserts and shrublands, grasslands, temperate forests, tropical forests, mountains, and wetlands. While Mexico may be rich in native species, it’s also an important destination for birds and insects migrating from the north. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacán state is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Official National Animal of Mexico

The official national animal of Mexico is the golden eagle. As an important symbol of Mexican culture dating back to Pre-Columbian times, it is featured almost everywhere. An image of the golden eagle eating a rattlesnake even adorns the country’s flag. Other important animals include the jaguar (the national mammal) and the Xoloitzcuintli (national dog).

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals in Mexico

The best place to find Mexico’s diverse animals is at its rich national parks. The Basaseachic Falls National Park is located in the center of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range within the state of Chihuahua. The mountains, valleys, and rich forests are home to a diverse range of exotic wild animals. The Palenque National Park, located among Mayan ruins in the southern state of Chiapas, is home to many birds and arboreal mammals (like the iconic howler monkey) in the dense foliage of the surrounding rainforests. Mexico City itself is home to several national parks such as the Cumbres del Ajusco and the Nevado de Toluca. Finally, visitors might also want to check out the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park near the Sierra Madre and Iztaccíhuatl-Popocatépetl National Park within the volcanic range of Puebla and Morelos.

The Most Dangerous Animals in Mexico Today

Mexico is home to many dangerous predators and poisonous snakes and sea creatures that can cause serious injury or death. Here is a small sample of them:

• Rattlesnake – Found in the deserts of western Mexico, the rattlesnake has a very painful toxin that can cause tingling, weakness, nausea, vomiting, swelling, and in very extreme cases, heart failure. Fortunately, this snake almost always gives a warning before it strikes.
• Fer-de-lance Snake – Located in southern Mexico, this reptile can deliver a toxin that causes nausea, vomiting, swelling, numbness, fever, and internal bleeding, though death is relatively rare.
• Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake – Black on top and yellow along the belly, this snake has a neurotoxin that can cause serious tissue damage. As a marine animal, it isn’t often encountered by people.
• Jaguar – Although jaguar attacks are exceedingly rare, their bite is strong enough to pierce a thick shell. The closely related cougar also has a very strong and dangerous bite.
• Box Jellyfish – Famous for its sublime, ethereal beauty, the box jellyfish can also deliver a very painful sting that can sometimes be fatal to swimmers in the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific. As with many other poisonous animals, though, documented deaths are rare.

Endangered Animals in Mexico

Mexico’s wild animals face serious threats from urbanization, pollution, and deforestation. Many species are now in danger of complete extinction.

• Axolotl – Also known as the Mexican walking fish, the unique Axolotl is actually a species of salamander. Since it does not undergo the typical amphibian metamorphosis, this species retains several juvenile characteristics, including external gill stalks behind the head. The Axolotl is native to some lakes near Mexico City, but urbanization and water pollution have nearly driven it to extinction.
• Vaquita – Roughly translated as “little cow,” the unique Vaquita is the smallest of all living cetaceans. This tiny porpoise lives in the northernmost part of the Gulf of California.
• Mexican Wolf – This distinct subspecies of the gray wolf has a very small range in northern Mexico.
• Mexican Howler – This howler monkey is a critically endangered subspecies of the vulnerable mantled howler. The most prominent characteristics of this monkey are the prehensile tail and distinctive howling sound.

Mexican Animals

Alligator Gar

The alligator gar has toxic eggs to protect against predators

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Anteater

Found throughout the Southern Hemisphere!

Armadillo

Can curl into a hard, protective ball!

Axolotl

Found only in one complex of lakes!

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Barred Owl

Like other owls, the barred owl swallows its prey whole.

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Bear

There are 8 different species!

Beetle

There are more than 350,000 different species

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Bobcat

About double the size of a domestic cat!

Booby

Seabirds found across the South Pacific!

Bowfin

The bowfin is a primitive fish that first evolved in the Jurassic

Bullfrog

Has loud cow-like calls!

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 20,000 species!

Caiman

Can grow to up 6 meters long!

Caiman Lizard

One of the largest lizards in America!

Camel Spider

Fast, carnivorous arachnid with a painful bite.

Cat

First domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians!

Caterpillar

The larvae of a moth or butterfly!

Catfish

There are nearly 3,000 different species!

Centipede

There are about 3,000 documented species!

Chicken

First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Chihuahua

Curious and devoted personality!

Cichlid

There are more than 2 000 known species!

Coati

Found in dense forests and wet jungles!

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Collared Peccary

Form bands of up to 12 individuals!

Cooper’s Hawk

Eyes change color as they age

Cow

There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!

Coyote

Also known as the Prairie Wolf!

Crab

There are 93 different crab groups

Crocodile

Have changed little in 200 million years!

Deer Head Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is the smallest dog breed in the world.

Desert Tortoise

Lives in burrows underground!

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Donkey

First domesticated 5,000 years ago!

Dragonfly

It's larvae are carnivorous!

Duck

Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Eagle

Has exceptional eyesight!

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Eastern Bluebird

Bluebirds drop straight down on their prey from their perch, much like leopards.

Eel

Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!

Falcon

The fastest creatures on the planet!

Flamingo

Sleeps on just one leg!

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Flying Squirrel

Can glide up to 90 meters!

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Gar

Can grow to more than 3m long!

Gecko

There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

Glow Worm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Gopher

They dig large networks of tunnels!

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Gray Fox

The gray fox has retractable claws and a rotating wrist that allow it to climb trees with some proficiency

Guppy

Also known as the Millionfish!

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!

Harpy Eagle

Talon's the size of a grizzly bear's claws!

Hercules Beetle

Can grow up to 7 inches long!

Heron

Inhabits wetlands around the world!

Honey Bee

There are only 8 recognized species!

Horse

Has evolved over 50 million years!

House Finch

The house finch can become redder depending on what it eats

Human

Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Hummingbird

Beat their wings up to 80 times per second!

Ibis

Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!

Iguana

Uses visual signals to communicate!

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Jaguar

The largest feline on the American continent!

Kangaroo Rat

Merriam’s kangaroo rats literally never have to drink water

Keel-Billed Toucan

It's beak can reach nearly 20 cm long!

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Kinkajou

The kinkajou is a nimble forest-dwelling mammal of Central and South America.

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Leopard Frog

They can jump up to three feet

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Locust

Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.

Macaw

The largest species of parrot in the world!

Marine Toad

Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

Some colonies have millions of bats

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Mole

Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!

Molly

Known for their calm and peaceful nature!

Monarch Butterfly

During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Monkey

There are around 260 known species!

Moorhen

Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mountain Bluebird

Depending on the time of the year, the mountain bird can live as far north as Alaska.

Mountain Lion

Has no real natural predators!

Mourning Dove

It is almost always the male who makes the famous sad sound, which is a wooing call

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

Muskrat

The muskrat can stay underwater up to 17 minutes at a time

Ocelot

Also known as the Painted Leopard!

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

Panther

Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!

Parrot

Can live for up to 100 years!

Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth

Pheasant

Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Pigeon

They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.

Poison Dart Frog

Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!

Porcupine

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Prairie Dog

Prairie dog “towns” can consists of hundreds of individuals

Prairie Rattlesnake

The striking distance of a prairie rattlesnake is 2/3rds the length of its body.

Puma

Has longer back legs than front legs!

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Quetzal

The tail feathers of the male can be 1m long!

Raccoon

Known to wash their food before eating it!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

Rattlesnake

It's venom digests it's prey before it even swallows it!

Red Finch

Red finches can form flocks of over 100 birds.

Red Knee Tarantula

Inhabits the Pacific Mountains of Mexico!

River Turtle

Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!

Robin

There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!

Roseate Spoonbill

The only Spoonbill in the western hemisphere!

Saber-Toothed Tiger

Canines up to 7 inches long!

Salamander

There are more than 700 different species!

Scarlet Macaw

Like many parrots, the scarlet macaw is capable of vocal mimicry.

Scorpion

There are around 2,000 known species!

Seahorse

Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!

Sheep

Around 35 million in the English countryside!

Shrimp

There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Sloth

It's body temperature is between 30 - 34 degrees!

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 3,000 known species worldwide

Snapping Turtle

Only found in North America!

Spanish Goat

They have long, horizontal ears.

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Spider Monkey

Found in the tropical jungles of South America!

Spotted Gar

They are commonly mistaken as logs in the water due to their cylindrical body.

Squirrel

Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

Tortoise

Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Toucan

There are more than 40 different species!

Tree Frog

Found in warmer jungles and forests!

Turkey

Closely related to pheasants and chickens!

Umbrellabird

Migrates up and down the mountains!

Vampire Bat

Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!

Vulture

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Wasp

There are around 75,000 recognised species!

White-Faced Capuchin

One of the world's most intelligent monkeys!

White-tail deer

White-tail deer are good swimmers

Wolf

Thought to date back more than 300,000 years!

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.

Wood Turtle

Temperature determines the sex of turtle eggs

Woodlouse

Actually a crustacean, not an insect!

Woodpecker

There are 200 different species!

Mexican Animals List