The Diverse Ecosystem of Punta Mita | Traveler by Unique
The biggest attraction for wildlife enthusiasts is Humpback whales. The Bandreas bay provides warm and favorable environment for them to raise their offerings during the cold winter season. Hence, they can be spotted with their young ones from December to January.
It is also home to the Olive Ridely Tea Turtle. This turtle is the second smallest and most abundant of turtles’ species. It is 2 to 2.5 feet in length and can weigh up to 100 pounds. The warm and tropical climate of the coastal bay provides a suitable environment for it to lay eggs. Unfortunately, it is listed as an endangered species and therefore, a lot of conservation efforts are being done for its protection.
Another famous wildlife animal is Blue footed Booby which is a unique seabird that resides only in tropical regions such as Punta Mita. The blue footed booby is a peculiar seabird with large blue feet and long beak. Its primary source of food is fish which it hunts by diving in the water and using its long beak. While diving they can go depths of 25 meters below the surface of the water without any harm.
The spotted dolphin which lives primarily in tropical regions also lives in this peninsula. They live along the coastline and feed on smaller fish. The males are bigger in size than the females. They are very friendly and playful in nature. Visitors can often see them coming out of the water and playing with other dolphins. They are naturally not shy of human beings.
Amongst reptiles, the most prevalent is the green iguana. It can grow to 1.5 meters in length and have a weight of more than 20 pounds. It is herbivorous species of lizard, so it feeds on leaves and plants. It has a calm nature hence it is not a threat to humans. For this reason, it is often kept as a pet by many people.
The brown pelican which is the smallest of the pelican species also resides in this peninsula. Like all pelicans, it has a long beak to help catch its food which is primarily fish and small amphibians. It lives in a flock of other pelicans throughout the year.
Punta Mita is in close proximity to the National Marshes Biosphere Reserve, which is host to jaguars. They are spotted felines who like to live in tropical forests, swamps, and wooded regions. It is a solitary animal and it acts as a keystone species which means that it helps in stabilizing ecosystems and keeping the prey population in check. However, it is difficult to see the jaguar as it is naturally shy of human beings. It is an opportunistic hunter and hunts on animals like deer and boar for its food. Unfortunately, it has been the target of poachers primarily due to the high demand for its skin in the black market. In addition, is amongst the most endangered species of animals in the world. Hence, it requires proper conservation steps. For this reason, this reserve provides a safe and protected environment for its sustenance. The Sierra de Vallejo State Biosphere Reserve is also a sanctuary which contains jaguars, wild boars and parrots.
The Bandreas Bay contains plenty of mangrove swamps which perform a very important function for the ecosystem. They provide a breeding ground for fish and help keep the soil intact, thus protecting it from coastal erosion. These swamp marshes provide a suitable environment for crocodiles as well.