Baja California is a Mexican state located in the north of the country, on the border with the United States. It has the Pacific Ocean on one side and the Gulf of California on the other. It also has interesting desert ecosystems, although the flora and fauna that inhabit it is quite diverse. In addition, most of them originate from there and, as a curiosity, the city of Guadalupe has become one of the best areas to spot white sharks. After this mini review, join us in this EcologíaVerde article where we will talk about 40 endangered species in Baja California.
Vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus)
It is the smallest cetacean in the world and is found in critically endangered. There are only 18 mature specimens with reproductive capacity. They live only in Sonora and Baja California and are threatened by totoaba fishing, with whom they share a habitat and who is also in danger of extinction. The cows remain accidentally caught in nets. The Mexican government has had very involved and national priority plans to recover this species.
Find out why the vaquita porpoise is in danger of extinction, here.
Totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi)
It’s about a two meter long fish from which its swim bladder is consumed. Currently its sale is illegal and it is related to cartels related to drug trafficking. A kilo of totoaba costs $60,000 in the Asian market, while cocaine costs $2,500. is the Mexican species most trafficked internationally and the most expensive fish in the world.
Image: Clarin
White abalone (Haliotis sorenseni)
They are found from California, United States, to Baja California. Before they were more abundant in California, but due to intense fishing they have reduced their communities. It was used as food for its high level of nutrients, and the pearl-colored shell is used for jewelry.
These practices are already prohibited but are critically endangered due to illegal fishing, but also due to natural causes such as excessive algaric blooms of red dinoflagellates that release yessotoxins lethal to abalone.
Giant seahorse (Hippocampus ingens)
is classified as vulnerable because it is usually caught accidentally in shrimp fishing nets. They are animals that live on the sea surface, so they are vulnerable to pollution and rapid degradation caused by tourist developments. These endangered animals of Baja California are also removed from their ecosystem to be sold for aquariums or stuffed as decoration.
Desert fish (Cyprinodon macularius)
This endangered animal from Baja California is striking because it lives in brackish and shallow springs located in deserts. It lives mostly in the United States, but covers a portion of Baja California Sur in Mexico. Their communities are shrinking and they find themselves vulnerable to disappear if action is not taken soon.
Do not hesitate to consult this article with other Animals of the desert: characteristics and names, here.
Crotch’s Bumblebee (Bombus crotchii)
It is more prevalent in California, but there are small communities in Baja California. They are pollinating insects that they collect pollen by producing sonic vibration to shake the flowers. They help pollinate tomatoes and blueberries, so they are an important element for our good diet.
It’s found in danger of extinction due to climate change that has made the region arid. It is also affected by the use of agrochemicals, pesticides and displacement by non-native bees.
Do not miss this EcologíaVerde post on the Effects of climate change.
Angel de la Guarda Island Cachahuala (Sauromalus hispidus)
This reptile is an endemic animal of the Baja California region, inhabiting the islands that are in front of this state. The island where they are most concentrated is the one that gives the common name to this species. Their populations are fluctuating a lot due to changes in the rainy season and the droughts that are related to them.
They find each other in danger of extinction, especially for many animals that have been introduced and threaten them. It was discovered that 80% of wild cats had specimens of this species in their stomachs.
Meet other Reptiles in danger of extinction, here.
Sunflower starfish (Pycnopodia helianthoides)
It lives on the Pacific Ocean side, from the United States to Baja California, although there is no certainty that they still exist in the latter state, which is why it is classified as critically endangered. Although bycatch plays an important role in their decline, they are also affected by pathogens that cause the Starfish Wasting Syndrome in which they stop eating, followed by loss of homostatic balance and death.
Do not miss this other post about the Starfish: characteristics, reproduction and taxonomy.
San Quentin kangaroo rat (Dipodomys gravipes)
This animal that is part of the fauna of Baja California is endemic to the northwest of the area and is found critically endangered. It is estimated that there is a maximum of 49 mature organisms. It is a desert animal and lives in a very restricted area, so the threats of habitat destruction are really extreme for them. Very few areas of its original habitat remain intact.
North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica)
It remains in the northern hemisphere, reaching Japan and Russia, ending in Baja California. Climate change has reduced its travel range enough and today sightings are extremely rare in areas further south, such as Baja California.
These whales have been hunted by the Japanese since the 1500s. Their hunting was prohibited but until the 1970s there was still illegal hunting. Today these practices are rare and are threatened by collisions with ships or damage to their blades.
You may also be interested in the Evolution of whales and the Types of whales that exist in these other EcologíaVerde posts.
Image: Aquatic Animals
Peter the Martyr’s Squirrel (Tamiasciurus mearnsi)
This other animal that is part of the fauna of Baja California is endemic to the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. The area where it lives is very small and it is only found in 5 locations. It is associated with forests and is in danger of extinction due to the felling of trees, which reduce their habitat.
Do not hesitate to take a look at the following article where we talk about the problem of indiscriminate felling of trees in forests.
Northern Fox (Vulpes macrotis)
Although it is not classified by the Red List of Endangered Species, it is classified by Mexican regulations. This endangered animal from Baja California lives in deserts but it is threatened by hunting and increased competition for scarce food. There are those who also look for them as pets, but this is illegal.
Other animals in danger of extinction in Baja California
Below we list more animals that are in danger of extinction, threatened or subject to special protection in Baja California:
- Pinto abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana).
- pink abalone (Haliotis corrugata).
- Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos).
- River fairy shrimp (Streptocephalus woottoni).
- Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadiensis).
- California sea lion (Zalophus californianus).
- Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox).
- killer whaleOrcinus orca).
- Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
- silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis).
- brown turtle (Chelonia agassizi).
- Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).
- tropical whale (Balaenoptera edeni).
- olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
- Elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris).
- Gray whale ( Eschrichtius robustus).
- sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis).
- California condor (Gymnogyps californianus).
- long-faced common dolphin (Delphinus capensis).
- graceful tern (Sterna elegans).
- Plumbeous Gull (larus heermann).
- Holy Spirit antelope squirrel (Ammospermophilus insularis).
- California weevil rail (Rallus longirostris levipes).
- Californian perlite (Polioptila californica atwoodi).
- California Bell’s vireo (Vireo belli pusillus).
- Baja California pocket mouse (Chaetodipus spinatus occultus).
- California Meteor (Microtus californicus).
- Baja California night snake (Eridiphas slevini).
Finally, do not miss this other article with some endemic species of Baja California.
If you want to read more articles similar to Animals in danger of extinction in Baja Californiawe recommend that you enter our category of Animals in danger of extinction.
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