Fauna Of Mexico Part 8

Mexico is home to hundreds of animal and plant
species. No vacation would be complete without a
visit to an ancient ruin, and at least one wild
animal sighting. However, while some species are
harmless, others are best observed from a
respectful distance. These animals and reptiles
are the reason why cameras have extreme zoom
lenses.

Pygmy Spotted Skunk

This skunk is endemic to the western coast of
Mexico, making its home in the woodlands of
Sinaloa to Oaxaca. They are quite similar in
appearance to weasels; not including their
4-inch tail, their slim bodies reach about 7-13
inches in length. Spotted skunks have several
white spots on their foreheads and several white
stripes down their backs - hence their name. The
rest of their fur is black, and more spots
appear on their backs as the skunks mature.
Pygmy spotted skunks are omnivores, eating
insects, fruit, small mammals, and reptiles
depending on the season. They are nocturnal, and
will flee when in danger; however, like other
skunks, these pygmy skunks will spray odorous
excretions when cornered. It's best to keep your
distance!

Diamondback Water Snake

The diamondback is dark brown or olive-green in
color, and can grow to a length of 4.9 feet.
They are one of the most common snake species in
the area, found near slow-moving streams, rivers,
and swamps. They are known to forage for a meal
by hanging on a branch suspended over water with
their head submerged; to catch fish and small
amphibians. When they encounter prey, the
diamondback will snap it up quickly and pull it
out of the water to prevent escape. Diamondbacks
will swim away from danger, and will only bite
when physically handled; their teeth are
nonvenomous but sharp. Diamondbacks are
sometimes mistaken for rattlesnakes due to the
the diamond pattern on their backs. It's
probably wise to leave all snakes alone.

American Crocodile

This reptile is the most widespread of the four
crocodile species native to the Americas. It
occurs in southern Mexico, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific coasts, and there are populations in
the rivers of Cuba and Jamaica as well as in
Venezuela and Peru. The American Crocodile has a
familiar body structure; short legs, powerful
tail, and scaly hide. Its eyes, ears, and
nostrils sit on top of its head, so it can
conceal the rest of its body beneath the surface
of the waters where it hunts. American Crocodiles
can swim at 20 miles per hour, and on land they
can charge for short bursts at 10 miles per
hour! This is particularly impressive when you
consider that the average male is about 13 feet
long, and weights 840 pounds. Newborns are
barely 8 inches in length, and grow rapidly into
powerful predators. American Crocodiles mainly
eat fish; however, some species have grabbed
full-grown cattle from nearby farms when they
are hungry; as with all crocodiles, humans
should be cautious when near the shallow waters
that these reptiles prefer.


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