The Sian Ka’an Biosphere and Nature Reserve is an amazingly secluded and well-preserved chunk of land on the coast of Mexico which features unique habitats such as swamps, coastal lagoons, mangrove thickets, and inland lagoons. This is an area that plays host to some of the world’s most endangered animals, and it’s an area which is fortunate enough to receive the care and conservation it deserves. Here is some of the fauna found in the area;

Birds

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere is home to a staggering 326 different bird species recorded so far. This number includes 219 species which are in full-time residence, and 65 migratory species that winter here; this preserve is on the migratory path for birds which travel to central and south America, and the preserve counts sees 21 of the 23 wading bird species found resident in Mexico as a whole.

The birds you may spot here include the cormorant, crowned pigeon, frigate, jabiru stork, toucan, great curassow, ocellated turkey, yucatan troglodyte and chara, woodstor, the hair heron, white ibis, albo gazon and the black mimido. You might even see a flamingo or two in winter! This biosphere boasts the second-highest numbers of reproduction amongst some of the most endangered fauna species in Mexico, too, so you can see that it’s a key place for birds of all feathers.

Reptiles

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere has the single largest area of protected habitat for crocodile in Mexico, and one of the best preserved populations of the Mexican Morelet crocodile. These retile cohabit quite well with the American crocodile found in the biospheres 300,000 hectares of aquatic environment. If you’re lucky you could also spot some notable turtle species including the white and loggerhead turtle.

Mammals

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere has recorded 96 species of mammals living with its bounds; everything from bats to dolphins call this area home. Standout family members include spider monkeys, tapir, paca, manatee, whales, possums, and the majestic large cats like the puma, jaguarondi, jaguar, and ocelot which roam free here.

Rare and Threatened Fauna

Some of the residents of the Sian Ka’an Biospshere are very rare indeed, or even in danger of extinction. In this category are bird like the red-footed bobo, brown boobies, American anhinga, yellow-headed buzzard, reddish egret, peregrine falcon, American stork, the king vulture, osprey, barred ralon, water calandria, peak canoe toucan, and the Yucatecan parrot. The white-fronted parrot can be found here, too, and is under special protection. It’s not just the birds, however, as the anteater, porcupine, howler monkey, and jaguar are also endangered. This habitat is so vital to so much fauna.

When you visit the Yucatan peninsula be sure to visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere to experience a fauna like no other.

Mexico is a wonderful, beautiful country that has much to offer visitors, and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere is one of the most unique places in the country! The Sian Ka’an Biosphere is a nature preserve, which covers some of the most stunning landscape and most fragile ecosystems in the Mexican Caribbean. ATV tours present the perfect way in which to get about this intensely secluded and beautiful place!

ATV Adventures in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere

On an ATV you can get about quickly and without obstruction; the jungle landscapes, pristine beaches, Mayan ruins, and the cenotes which pepper the reserve are all perfectly reachable on ATVs. Get ready to traverse some exciting terrain that will excite and inspire you! Here’s a look at what you can expect from an ATV tour in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere in Mexico.

Jungle and Beach

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere is famously beautiful and idyllic, and when you take an ATV tour you will be able to get around the winding mud and dirt roads that crisscross the preserve, and when you get onto the beach the ATVs will deal just as well with the sandy dunes. You might even see some wildlife as you go, but you can count on the shining waters of the Caribbean being there when you arrive.

Mayan Ruins

Mexico is peppered with incredible Mayan ruins which predate the conquest by the Spanish; the ancient Maya left grand and awe-inspiring cities, temples, and fortresses behind. These ruins are some of the most majestic and wonderful tourist attractions in the country. You can get to Chac Mool ruins quite easily from the biosphere, especially on an ATV tour, and believe us when we say that it’s well worth it. When you spend time in these places you can really get close to the land and the past.

Explore the Cenotes

Cenotes are a phenomena best seen in Mexico, and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere has some of the best examples of these ethereal and mysterious natural places. Cenotes are created when bedrock limestone erodes and collapses to expose underground pools and waterways to the sky. The Maya believed that these places were sacred, and as such they were used as ritual sites. Today you can swim, snorkel, and dive in these wonderful places.

As you can see ATV tours and excursion in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere are a really good way to see the landscape, and furthermore a good way of traversing the winding dirt paths.

Although the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, which was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is home to a dizzying number of animal species, one of the most enchanting that inhabits the area is the manatee.  Once hunted by local fishermen, these brilliant creatures which have unfortunately become an endangered species, are now protected from such threats.  When you visit this splendid area, you may have the chance to observe them in their natural habitat, which is any animal lover’s dream!  Here are some things you should know about these fascinating aquatic mammals:

The Life of a Manatee

Manatees typically live in shallow, marshy coastal areas and adjacent rivers such as the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.  They are one of the only marine animals able to successfully spend time in both fresh and saltwater.  However, they rely on fresh water to drink, which is why they are often found in the lagoons around Sian Ka’an where fresh water emerges from underground Cenotes.

They happen to be the largest vegetarian animals to inhabit the sea and can live to reach 60 years of age.  Being the good-natured animals they are, manatees do not have any natural enemies and therefore have not developed any type of defense mechanism.  These intelligent creatures communicate with one another through high-pitched sounds.  They spend roughly half of their days sleeping, while the remainder is usually spent grazing in shallow waters.

Close Encounters

While numbers of these endangered animals are not as strong as they once were, you can still see manatees in their natural habitat on a tour in Sian Ka’an.  You will be guided by local experts who will share their knowledge about these large yet gentle creatures as you approach them to observe from a distance that will not interfere with their usual activities.  The area around the Boca Paila lagoon is an especially popular spot for manatees to surface for air.  Witnessing the magic of nature as they go about their daily lives will truly amaze and inspire you.  Get ready for an encounter in the wild like nothing you have experienced before!

Dangers They Face

As an endangered species, manatees need all of the help from humans they can get.  The more education people receive about them, the more likely everyone will do their part to keep them from harm.  When interacting with them, please remember not to touch, ride, poke at, feed, chase, surround or threaten the manatees in any way.  It is essential that mothers and calves stay together, so they should be approached with even greater caution and given more space.

Human activity is still the greatest threat to manatees, both directly and indirectly.  Because they are naturally curious and move at a slow pace, manatees are often struck by the propellers of boat motors which can injure, disfigure or even kill them.  They are also susceptible to natural dangers such as hurricanes, cold stress and red tide poisoning.

Get up close with manatees in their natural habitat in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere to experience an adventure you will never forget!