FLORA AND FAUNA OF OAXACA: MOST OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTICS - BIOLOGY - 2024

The flora and fauna of Oaxaca is an example of the climatic variety of this Mexican state, which favors biodiversity. Oaxaca is believed to be home to between 850 and 900 plant species.

Oaxaca is located in southwestern Mexico. It has large mountain ranges and has hot, semi-warm, temperate, semi-cold and semi-dry climates. The temperature ranges between 18 and 22 ° C.

Its territory extends over more than 93 thousand square kilometers and more than 3 million people inhabit it, according to the 2015 census.

The highest point in Oaxaca is the Yucayacua hill, with its little more than 3,000 meters above sea level.

The 5 most representative plants of Oaxaca

1- Ceiba

It is a medium, spiny tree with a sturdy, conical trunk. Its leaves are arranged in a spiral and its flowers are small and white.

It is a tree that is usually found in a tropical forest. It is also known by the name of pochote or pochota. Its scientific name is aesculifolia.

2- Framboyan

The framboyan is a tree with a slightly crooked trunk and very dense foliage. It can measure up to 8 meters in height.

It has large flowers of very bright colors, red and orange, so it is common to use it to decorate spaces.

It requires a lot of sun and blooms from spring until fall begins.

3- Palo mulatto

It is a tree with a scaly bark that is red to brownish green. It can reach 25 meters in height and twists in a very characteristic way in the middle of its stem or near the branch.

Its leaves and flowers are grouped in small clusters. The flowers can take on a creamy pink shade.

Its fruit acquires a reddish-brown color when ripe. It grows wild in warm and temperate climates.

4- Amatillo

It is a tree that begins as an epiphyte, but becomes an independent one that can grow up to 30 meters high.

It is a warm climate plant that is used in traditional medicine to treat toothaches. Its scientific name is ficus pertusa.

5- Ahuehuete

It is a lush native Mexican tree that can live for thousands of years and measure up to 40 meters in height. It has a trunk between 2 and 14 meters in diameter.

It is a type of cypress that lives on the banks of rivers or streams. It produces seeds profusely between August and November.

It is known that its common name comes from Nahuatl, but there is no consensus on its meaning. Its scientific name is taodium huegelii.

The following plants are also found in Oaxaca:

• Grasslands
• Acacias.
• Encinos.
• Maguey de nizanda.
• Fennel.
• Cazahuate.
• Casuarina.
• Huaje.

The 5 most representative animals of Oaxaca

1- Tepezcuintle or guanta

It is the name that the common paca receives in Mexico, a species of rodent that lives near water in tropical forests.

Its body is brown with white spots. It measures between 60 and 79 centimeters long plus the 2 or 3 centimeters of tail.

His head and eyes are big. Her ears are short. It is a nocturnal animal that eats vegetables.

She knows how to swim and is at risk because she is hunted for the taste of her meat.

2- Nauyaca oxaqueña

It is a poisonous snake between 55 and 75 centimeters long. It has a rostral scale, the tip of its snout is raised and resembles the snout of a pig.

It is brown or gray in color with dark spots in the shape of triangles, squares, or rectangles.

They are nocturnal and feed on lizards, amphibians, and small birds. The young are usually born in rainy seasons in litters of 3 to 36 individuals.

3- Whitetail deer

It is a mammal whose coat takes on a reddish hue in spring and summer, while in winter it is rather brown.

It can weigh 60 kilograms and measure between 1.6 and 2.2 meters long, with the tail included.

Males have branched antlers that they use to fight other males during courtship of females. They are normally in heat during the fall.

It can walk in groups of up to 15 specimens, but the basic social unit is of two individuals: female and young. It feeds on leaves, fruits and seeds.

4- Howler monkey

It is a primate that has a longer coat on the sides of its body. That fur is yellowish.

It measures between 56 and 92 centimeters. It has a small head and a long tail, generally equal in length to its body.

Its tail is prehensile, which is why it is used to swing on the branches of trees. His vision is trichromatic.

It lives in jungle areas and is called howler because it emits a hiss similar to that of the wind.

5- Loggerhead turtle

The loggerhead turtle or loggerhead turtle is a sea turtle that can weigh up to 135 kilograms as an adult.

On average it is 90 centimeters long and can live up to 67 years. Their skin is yellow or brown while their shell is rather reddish.

Their jaws are large and strong. It feeds on invertebrates found on the seabed.

It has a low reproduction rate and is a species whose conservation status is considered vulnerable.

Other representative animals of Oaxaca are the following:

• Lesser black eagle.
• Kestrel.
• Great egret.
• Pinto diver.
• Little owl.
• Colorín seven colors.
• Bitch.
• Hare.
• Cacomixtle.
• Weasel.
• Wildcat.
• Mousetrap boa.
• Rattlesnake.
• Jokes.
• Giant toad.
• Flying squirrel.

References

1. Acosta, Salvador (2002). Rare, threatened, or endangered vascular plants in the state of Oaxaca, a preliminary overview. Recovered from: redalyc.org
2. Digital Library of Traditional Mexican Medicine (2009). Palo mulatto. Recovered from: medcinatraditionalmexicana.unam.mx
3. Conaculta (s / f). Framboyan. Recovered from: wikimexico.com
4. Tell me Inegi (s / f). Flora and fauna of Oaxaca. Recovered from: Cuentame.inegi.org.mx
5. Julián Roblero, Bianca (2012). Oaxaca and its nature. Recovered from: florayfaunadeoaxacamex.blogspot.com
6. Naturalist (s / f). Oaxaca. Recovered from: naturalista.mx
7. Pérez García, Eduardo, & others (2001). Vegetation and flora of the Nizanda region, Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Acta Botánica Mexicana, (56), 19 - 88. Recovered from redalyc.org
8. Wikipedia (s / f). Oaxaca de Juárez. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org