About the Rainforests of Mexico

The rainforests of Mexico are considered to be one of the most tropical at present. As the name implies, rainforests receive great amount of rainfall each year, that’s why Mexico holds a considerable variation of species of plants and animals. Besides that, the location of the rainforests between the North and South America is important to the migration of other species of animals. 

From the City of Mexico to the Gulf of Mexico in the lower elevations are covered by rainforests—tropical and subtropical. Most rain is received by those near the coasts. The amount of rain accounts for the stability of the climate making it essential for the growth and maintenance of the species. In fact, trees are normally reaching the height of 30 meters with dominant species like Mahogany and the Sapodilla. In areas with higher latitudes, rainforests are amazingly covered with fog supporting the growth of aerial plants called epiphytes, ferns and mosses.

It is claimed that tropical rainforests hold about 50 to 90 percent of all species on Earth. In Mexico, the rainforests houses 2,000 species of plants. No wonder the Amazon rainforest provides a fifth of the world’s oxygen.  Of course, Mexico rainforests will never be least in providing home to several animal species. It includes 40 reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 90 mammal species, and over 200 varieties of birds. As we look to it, you will never get bored of animal and plant watching because your eyes will definitely be amazed of its rich biodiversity.

Unfortunately, Mexico rainforests also house different endangered species of animals. It includes species of big cats like the jaguar, jaguarundi, and the ocelot. Not just that, there are also Spider Monkey, Coati, and Kinkajou species of animals that are considered threatened.

Dangers of the Rainforests of Mexico

As all remaining rainforests in the world, Mexico cannot escape threats to its survival. According to studies and monitoring, over 500,000 hectares of Mexico’s tropical and subtropical rainforests are destroyed each year. Several threats account to its destruction like industrialization, agricultural expansion, logging, and the collection of raw materials by the locals. Because of destruction of habitat, about 285 species of vertebrates are in the alarming condition.

Photo credits: http://www.edf.org

White tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

The White-tailed deer is commonly known at the continent of America but is also introduced to some countries in Europe. This is a medium-sized deer also known to be the Virginia deer. Deriving from its name, this deer is easily distinguished by its white underside seen when the deer raises its tail as a sign of escape.

Photo credits to: http://resources.waza.org/

Physical Description and Characteristics

The white-tailed deer changes its color during two different seasons: it is tanned or brown during the summer and grayish-brown in the winter. The male species known as stag or buck have antlers and can weigh up to 130 kilograms. Also, the white tailed-deer have dichromatic vision compared to trichromatic vision in humans. They cannot easily distinguish red and orange colors. There are rare cases when females have antlers; usually associated with the condition called hermaphroditism. All white-tailed deer have white coloration on their nose, around their eyes and in the neck.

Habitat

White-tailed deer are considered to be generalists and are able to adapt to a wide variety of habitats. They mostly occur in wooded areas, but can also be found living in savanna and sage communities in Mexico. Living in savanna areas caused some body adaptations to deer like having large antlers. Deer and humans can both share the same habitat, but there have to be someone dominating.

Behavior and Feeding

White-tailed deer have the behavior of raising its tail showing its white underside when threatened. They can also do some warning signals to other deer like stamping of hooves and snorting. White-tailed deer are active at night, but they are not completely nocturnal. They do not sleep for long periods of time and do not bed on the same position even twice of their life. Whitetails communicate by using vocalizations and by means of their scents.

White-tailed deer are herbivores and their diet primarily depends on their habitat and the time of the year. For example, when summer their primary diet consists of green plants while they eat nuts and corns in the fall. They have a special kind of stomach making them able to eat foods that humans cannot. They are ruminant—having four chambers in their stomach that makes them eat a variety of food.

Antlers

One defining feature of Whitetails is their antlers. It is proven that this asset is a sign of dominance for a male deer. The more branched antler they have, the more attractive they are for does. Antlers are composed of bone and regrow every spring time. 

Take a Peak on Mexican Culture

The culture of Mexico of the present time can be traced back to the time when indigenous people inhabited areas of the country and the colonization of different nations. It has been said that history in Mexico is not just a trace of the past, but it continues up to the present. Mexico is indeed a place where past meets the present.

Here is a list of aspects of life that defines a true-blood Mexican.

Photo credits to: feelinspired.co.za

Roman Catholicism is the dominant religious orientation in Mexico. Mexicans have established their own religious affiliations even before the colonization of Spain, but since then, the country embraced Catholicism as their spiritual orientation. In fact, the Catholic Church has been one of the most powerful institutions in the life of Mexicans. On the other hand, Mexican Catholicism is considered to be syncretic. There is a mixture of traditional Catholicism and indigenous rituals, considered to be polytheistic by foreign visitors. The Mexicans hold a strong worship of the saints and the Virgin Mary. The Virgin of Guadalupe, the nation’s saint is considered to be a national emblem and as important as the Mexican Flag.

Mexicans have a sophisticated culinary culture. Cuisine is a mixture of pre-Hispanic and European influences. Corn is the staple food, and is considered sacred by the indigenous people as the Maya and the Aztecs. This food is also prepared by all means, in all possible forms.

In Mexican cooking, three ingredients stand out: hot peppers or spicy chiles, corn and beans. The most important meal for the day is served between two to four in the afternoon locally known as the comida, commonly composed of three to four courses. There are also custom foods for every ceremonial occasion in Mexico. For example, during November 2 when they celebrate the day of the dead, they consume pan de muerto or the bread of the dead. At Christmas, the common delicacies served are romeritos, bacalao, and stuffed turkey.

The Mexican etiquette. The way how Mexicans deal with each other in daily life is strongly informed by the culture of distance and hierarchies in the society. Generally, Mexicans shake hands or kiss on the cheek when they meet. As in the case of close contacts and special occasions, they embrace each other, tap on the back and shake hands. This culture symbolizes confidentiality and the value of trust.

Mexicans have a strong valuing on eloquence. They typically began with polite and indirect approaches in conversations before coming up to the main topic. They are indirect speakers and avoid the use of clear-cut statements.

Mexican Agouti of the Rainforest (Dasyprocta Mexicana)

Ever heard of this animal? Probably not.  Well then, let me introduce you to this strange mammal. Mexican Agouti commonly known as Mexican Black Agouti belongs to the order Rodentia which makes it related to rabbits and rats. It was first introduced to Cuba in the 1930s but can also be seen in the southern part of Mexico. They look quite similar to guinea pigs, but have longer and larger legs. 

Behavioral Characteristics and Description

Agoutis of Mexico are generally blackish-brown in color. They have rounded backs and thin, long legs. The ventral part from the throat to the stomach is whitish-brown in color. Coarse hairs surround their body and raises when threatened. They can grow up to 24 inches in length and can weigh up to 4 kilograms. In their natural habitat, they seem to be shy and flee away from humans and are known for running very fast. 

Agoutis are good swimmers. At night, they hide themselves in tree trunks and among roots. Mexican Agoutis make alarm calls by feet stamping and loud nasal barks while running.

Feeding

Agoutis are primarily fruigivores. When eating, they sit on their hind legs while holding food with their front legs. They eat fallen fruits and leaves but can sometimes climb trees to eat green fruits. They gather up to group of 100 when feeding. Agoutis are also food hoarders; collecting them in small and buried places. Sometimes, they are considered pests to banana and sugarcane plantations. On the contrary, they serve as food sources for cats, birds and snakes.

Take note: Aside from macaws, they are the only animal species that can open Brazil nuts without the use of tools.      

Significance in the Ecosystem

Mexican Agoutis serve as primary seed dispersers. By eating seedlings and dispersing them, they are the ones responsible for wide distribution of tree species to the forest to which they live. They are also food source to other larger species of animals in the forest. Furthermore, several parasitic species depends on Agoutis for survival, like fleas.

How Does Climate Change Affect the Rainforest

As we all know rainforests are the primary absorbers of large amounts of carbon dioxide produced by humans and man-made facilities. To inform you, carbon dioxide levels are now 40% higher than what s experience a century ago. They can benefit, really, but as a saying goes “anything put into excess is bad.” 

So, what’s the biggest worry?

This has to be drought. Apparently, scientific studies in the Amazon rainforest found that tropical rainforest are sensitive to drought. Some of the areas that were once carbon sinks turned out to be carbon sources. How did it happen? Plots subjected to relative decrease in rainfall caused trees to die which resulted to carbon emissions. In a study, it has been reported that intense dry season and lesser amount of rainfall in Amazon in 2005 have caused a 1.2 to 1.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide release. 

In one way or another, rainforests and climate change are interdependent to one another. When climate changes and produce an abnormal amount of rainfall in a rainforest, the trees will eventually die and fail to fulfill their tasks as carbon sinks. In this way, carbon gases will be abundant in the atmosphere, and rainforests will not be solid buffers against climate change.

At present, up to what level are our carbon sinks?

Scientists said that mature tropical rainforests covering about 10 percent of the Earth’s land, absorbs as much as 1.3 billion tons of carbon each year. Thus, tropical rainforests account for forty percent of the world’s carbon sink. On a brighter note, it’s good to know that mature tropical rainforests keep getting better each year in absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.

“Forests have given us subsidy for a long time, and we should never take this for granted”, as an ecologist said. As trusted creations for environment conservation, we should take good care to what is entrusted to us. Let us remember that whatever we do to the environment at present will produce either satisfying or worsening effects extending up to the future generations.

Fun Activities to do in a Rainforest

The most northerly rainforests are bound in Mexico. Having a good climate as it receives the most amount of rainfall in a year makes it a perfect location for dwelling of different species. In addition to this is Mexico’s location between North and South America that makes it an important site of migration of several animal species. All these characteristics crowned Mexico rainforests as one of the most suited sites for outdoor activities to those who find adventures up close with nature.

Here we have listed ‘must do’ activities once you reach rainforests of Mexico.

ZIPLINE AND CANOPY TOURS

For most travelers the best part of a forest is its canopy. And one thing’s sure, one cannot be able to fully enjoy the ambiance of a rainforest unless he is able to glide and have a trip on its canopy. Canopy refers to that part of a rainforest comprised of the top layer of trees, mostly its leaves and branches. Canopy tours involve climbing off a tree in a jungle and gliding from one edge of the forest to another edge which is lower through suspended ropes termed as zip lines. There’s no better way of exploring a forest in its perfect view without intervening species in it than through swinging on top of it. There’s nothing to worry about safety because there are travel guides that will surely assess you all throughout.

WATER TOURS

There are rainforests in Mexico that offers boating as a primary mode of transportation, the Amazon rainforest for example. Travelling through waters provide an extremely different experience rather that wandering through land, it is more convenient and time-saving. Furthermore, boating and river cruising is a great way to experience wildlife in its natural setting, take photographs and observe a myriad of species along the riverbanks. Several cruise companies offer these kinds of services; arrangement can be done in site or beforehand.

TOURIST ACCOMODATIONS

Most common form of sleeping accommodations in Mexico rainforests are in the form of eco-lodges. Eco-lodges provide basic to first class accommodations but still in contact with nature. Some provide tourist guides which will help you plan your next trip in the region. Surely, there’s nothing to think about in here; from camping to sleeping, everything is provided for your own satisfaction and comfort.

FOREST HIKES

Of course, your trip to Mexico rainforest will never be complete without getting up close and personal with creatures in their natural habitat. There are a number of forest reserves and national parks which offer guided hikes as you get in touch with Mexico’s flora and fauna. Not just biodiversity, but these parks give you modern facility accommodations that will definitely make your excursion an experience of a lifetime.

Mexico Harpy Eagle

Among the fifty species of eagles in the world, Harpy Eagle is one of the extremes in terms of strength and size. This bird was first sighted on Mexico since 1998 by an Indian who provides ecotourism tours in Lacandona jungle.

“The eagle was already an adult, identifiable by its size, gray head, very broad wings and white underparts which could not be confused with other raptors”, says Jose Eduardo Perez.  The harpy eagle is one of the uncommon residents of Mexico jungle that’s why it is indeed a rare sighting to see one. It is said that eagles live in pristine habitats with broad forest sections; which means that the presence of one speaks of good forest conservation in Mexico.

DESCRIPTION

Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is a large predatory bird equipped with large feet and talons adapted for hunting preys like monkeys, sloths and even other birds. This eagle has an average body length of 35 to 40 inches.

The Mexico harpy eagle has a behavior of gliding through a tree canopy and picks its prey by plucking it from a tree. Mating for them usually happens every other year that’s why they are not large in number. Additional to the factors that make them even fewer in the forest is the destruction of their habitat by logging and agricultural development. 

Often referred to as “the ruler of the rainforest”, the Harpy Eagle is one of the most endangered birds in Latin America. However, number of conservation efforts is being made not just in Mexico to preserve its remaining number and to increase their survival in the wild.