FLORA AND FAUNA OF SONORA: MOST REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The flora and fauna of Sonora is characterized by species of flowers such as the ironwood, the saguaro and the pitahaya, or animal species such as the coyote, the puma or the jaguar.

Sonora is a state of Mexico whose territory has large extensions of arid or desert areas. The flora and fauna of Sonora correspond to a subtropical climate in which xerophilous scrub and dry lands abound.

Although the temperature can drop in some months of the year, Sonora has a great variety of flora. The fauna is equally varied, even despite the desertification of arid areas.

Sonora has almost 20,000 square kilometers of protected wildlife areas: a good part of these are destined for the protection of the flora and fauna of the State.

Fauna

1- Jaguar

It is a carnivorous feline related to the leopard. It is typical of humid jungles and wooded terrain.

The jaguar is a lone hunter known to be a predator that helps regulate ecosystems with its presence.

It is a robust animal that can weigh up to 100 kilograms. It is considered the largest feline in the American continent.

2- Big roadrunner

The roadrunner is a bird that is scattered throughout northern Mexico until it reaches the United States.

It is common to find it where desert vegetation abounds. It is mainly a land bird and short flights.

3- Wild turkey

It is also known as a turkey. It is a galliform type bird native to North America.

Turkeys are generally omnivorous, and inhabit the plains of Mexico and the United States. It has become popular due to the demand for its meat in the poultry market.

4- Coyote

It is an American carnivorous mammal and they are solitary animals. Their size is medium and they tend to have a wasted appearance for the most part.

They have a great capacity to adapt to environments where it is difficult to obtain food sources.

5- Puma

It is a large feline native to the American continent. The Puma is a great hunter that usually acts by ambushes.

It can weigh up to 70 kilos. Generally hunts deer, deer, elk, and pig.

Flora

A large part of the flora of Sonora is used for culinary or mystical-religious purposes. Among the most outstanding flora of the state is:

1- Saguaro

The Saguaro is a type of plant that can reach up to twelve meters in height. It is the typical cactus of the Sonoran desert.

They grow very slowly and their fruits and seeds are edible and rich in food.

2- Ponderosa pine

It is a tree of the coniferous species, very well distributed throughout North America. Many of its specimens can exceed fifty meters in height.

They tend to adapt very well to various climatic conditions.

3- Ironwood

Monotypic tree distributed both in Mexico and the United States. It is also known as olneya.

With its wood, the popular ironwood handicrafts are created, made by indigenous communities of Sonora. The characteristics of the wood facilitate the carving of the wood, with the possibility of giving it various finishes.

4- Saccharine maple

It is a type of tree typical of North America that grows along waterways and wetlands.

Its name is due to the sugary juice that can be obtained from the sap. It can reach up to forty meters in height.

5- Pitahaya

It is a plant of the cacti family spread throughout North America. It grows like a bush and its height can reach up to eight meters.

It has edible fruits rich in pulp. The peel is used as a natural medicine to heal wounds.

References

1- Sonora. (2017, November 20). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from wikipedia.org.

2- Flora and Fauna. (sf). Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from Cuentame.inegi.org.mx.

3- Biodiversity of Sonora. (sf). Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from mexicoalmaximo.com.

4- The Field Day. (sf). Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from día.unam.mx.

5- Ironwood crafts. (2016, October 9). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from wikipedia.org.

6- Stenocereus thurberi. (sf). Retrieved on November 25, 2017 from cactiguide.com.