FLORA AND FAUNA OF ZACATECAS: MOST REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES - BIOLOGY - 2024

The flora and fauna of Zacatecas, in Mexico, is extremely diverse. As for the flora, you can find species such as chaparral, mesquite, huizache, agave lechuguilla and guayule. As for the fauna, turkeys, opossums, coyotes and the golden eagle stand out.

In Zacatecas a great diversity of flora and fauna is observed thanks to the fact that in its geography there are valleys, plains, forests and arid and semi-arid regions.

The name of this city meant in the Nahuatl language "place of noble and beautiful flowers."

The 5 most important flowers of Zacatecas

1-Chaparral

Also known as governor or larrea tridentata, it is a flower that has five yellow petals.

Its leaves are dark green and its diameter is 3 centimeters. This shrub is 3 meters tall.

2- Mezquite

It is a legume family of the prosopis. Its name comes from the Nahuatl language.

Its height varies between 6 and 9 meters, and it has narrow leaves and branches with thorns. This tree blooms with an accent on yellow.

3- Huizache

It belongs to the acacia family. It is 2 meters tall and has thorns.

Its flowers are yellow and small, barely 5 millimeters long. When the bush blooms, the flowers appear in groups of 2 or 3.

4- Agave lechuguilla

It is a succulent plant in the agavodeae family. The nectar of its leaves is a favorite food for insects and birds.

It has a yellow and red bloom only before dying.

5- Guayules

It is a 60 centimeter tall shrub and its flowering is abundant but very small and yellow in color.

It is also characterized by its gray leaves, which give it a dusty appearance.

It belongs to the Asteraceae family and usually grows on calcareous soils. They can live 40 years and in severe drought conditions.

The 5 most outstanding animals of Zacateca

1- Guajolotes

It is a galliform bird. Its name comes from the Nahuatl language and means big monster.

It feeds on seeds and small fruits. They are 1.10 centimeters long and their plumage is black, coppery and white with a bare head.

2- Tlacuaches

Its species belongs to the didelfimorph marsupials and is a species of opossum. Its name comes from the Nahuatl language.

It is also known as Mexican marmosa. Its diet is very broad, so it has been able to adapt to live in any area.

3- Coyote

The coyote or barking dog is one of the most representative species in all of Mexico. It measures 60 centimeters and weighs an average of 15 kilograms.

Its average life span is 6 years and it can feed on rabbits, insects, shrews and even some vegetables.

4- Rattlesnake

The rattlesnake or crotalus is a venomous snake endemic to almost all of Mexico.

It is easily recognized by the rattlesnake located on the tip of its tail and from which it derives its name. Its predominant color is ocher, with black and white diamond-shaped markings.

5- Golden Eagle

It is the most emblematic bird of prey in Mexico. His image appears on the shield of that country. Zacatecas is home to the largest population of golden eagles in Mexico.

Its plumage is light brown with a golden head and white touches on the end of the tail and wings.

They hunt mice, snakes and rabbits, and in extreme cases they can feed on carrion.

Thanks to its ample opportunities to hunt and feed, the species is stable in terms of number of individuals.

References

1. Zamorano, P. (sf). The flora and fauna in Mexico. Mexico: Agrarian Attorney's Office. Retrieved on October 29, 2017 from: pa.gob.mx
2. Boyd, M. (nd). The Flowers of Mexico. Retrieved on October 29, 2017 from: chapala.com
3. Mexico: Plant and animal life. Retrieved on October 29, 2017 from: britannica.com
4. Rzedowski, J. (1981). The vegetation of Mexico. Mexico: Editorial Limusa.
5. Ceballos, G. (2014). Mammals of Mexico. Mexico: CONABRIO. Retrieved on October 29, 2017 from: books.google.es