The Ecotraveller's Wildlife Guide Tropical Mexico: The Cancun Region, Yucatan Peninsula, Oaxaca, Chipas, and Tabasco

by Beletsky, Les; Barrett, Priscilla; Beadle, David; Dennis, David; Myers, John; Newman, Colin

• ISBN13: 9780120848126
• ISBN10: 0120848120
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-04-01
• Publisher: Academic Pr

Summary

Most Ecotravellers to southern Mexico-Cancún and the Yucatán Peninsula, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco--want to experience tropical forests and other stunning habitats, as well as catch a glimpse of exotic wildlife, including toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, hawks, monkeys, anteaters, frogs, toads, crocodiles and snakes. In this book is all the information you need to find, identify and learn about this region's magnificent animal life. The author visited national parks and nature reserves, discussed wildlife with local and international experts as well as veteran tour leaders, and then selected for color illustrations more than 500 of the most common fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals--the species you are most likely to see. In one easy-to-carry, entertainingly written, beautifully illustrated book, you will have a constant companion on your journey. Key Features * Provides field guide plates of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and reef fishes * Includes photos of typical habitats and line drawings of common plants * Gives lists of reserves and sites to visit * Presents up-to-date text on conservation in Mexico * Provides identifying, location, and conservation information on the most frequently spotted animals * Presents up-to-date information on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of the families of animals to which the pictured species belong * Describes habitats of tropical Mexico and the most common plants you will encounter * Includes information on the underwater animals seen by most divers and snorkelers

Author Biography

Les Beletsky is a professional wildlife biologist and university zoology teacher

Table of Contents

Forword	viii
Preface	xi
Ecotourism: Travel for the Environmentally Concerned	1	(6)
What Ecotourism Is and Why It's Important	1	(2)
The History of Ecotourism	3	(1)
How Ecotourism Helps; Ecotravel Ethics	4	(3)
Southern Mexico: Ecotourism, Geography, and Habitats	7	(30)
A Brief Eco-history of Southern Mexico	7	(6)
Yucatan Peninsula	9	(3)
Oaxaca and Chiapas	12	(1)
Geography and Climate	13	(6)
Yucatan Peninsula	14	(2)
Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco	16	(3)
Habitats	19	(18)
Tropical Forest: General Characteristics	19	(3)
Habitats and Common Vegetation	22	(1)
Yucatan Peninsula	22	(2)
Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Tabasco	24	(13)
Parks, Reserves, and Getting Around	37	(18)
Getting Around Southern Mexico	37	(2)
Driving Here and There	37	(1)
Notes Concerning Interactions with Humans	38	(1)
Topes and Topes Culture	38	(1)
Brief descriptions of Parks, Reserves, and Other Eco-sites	39	(16)
Oaxaca	39	(3)
Chiapas	42	(5)
Tabasco	47	(1)
Campeche	47	(1)
Yucatan	48	(3)
Quintana Roo	51	(4)
Environmental Threats and Conservation	55	(10)
Major Threats and Conservation Record	55	(2)
Conservation Programs and Ecotourism	57	(8)
Biosphere Reserves	57	(3)
Ecotourism	60	(1)
Ejidos, Conservation, and Ecotourism	61	(4)
How to Use This Book: Ecology and Natural History	65	(9)
What is Natural History?	65	(1)
What is Ecology and What Are Ecological Interactions?	65	(2)
How to Use This Book	67	(7)
Information in the Family Profiles	67	(4)
Information in the Color Plate Sections	71	(3)
Amphibians	74	(17)
General Characteristics and Natural History	74	(2)
Seeing Amphibians in Tropical Mexico	76	(1)
Family Profiles	77	(11)
Salamanders	77	(2)
Toads	79	(2)
Rainfrogs	81	(2)
Treefrogs	83	(2)
Other Frogs	85	(3)
Environmental Close-Up 1: Frog Population Declines: Amphibian Armageddon or Alarmist Absurdity?	88	(3)
Reptiles	91	(29)
General Characteristics and Natural History	91	(3)
Seeing Reptiles in Tropical Mexico	94	(1)
Family Profiles	94	(23)
Crocodilians	94	(3)
Turtles	97	(4)
Colubrids: Your Regular, Everyday Snakes	101	(4)
Dangerous Snakes and Boas	105	(5)
Geckos	110	(1)
Iguanids	111	(4)
Skinks and Whiptails	115	(2)
Environmental Close-Up 2: Coffee, Birds, and Conservation	117	(3)
Birds	120	(84)
Introduction	121	(1)
General Characteristics of Birds	122	(1)
Classification of Birds	122	(1)
Features of Tropical Birds	123	(1)
Seeing Birds in Tropical Mexico	124	(1)
Family Profiles	125	(76)
Seabirds	125	(2)
Waterbirds	127	(4)
Herons and Egrets	131	(2)
Marsh and Stream Birds	133	(2)
Ducks	135	(1)
Shorebireds	136	(3)
Currasows, Quail, and Turkey	139	(2)
Tinamous	141	(2)
Raptors	143	(3)
Vultures	146	(3)
Pigeons and Doves	149	(3)
Parrots	152	(3)
Cuckoos and Anis	155	(2)
Owls	157	(1)
Goatsuckers	158	(2)
Swifts and Swallows	160	(2)
Hummingbirds	162	(4)
Trogons	166	(2)
Kingfishers	168	(2)
Motmots	170	(1)
Woodpeckers	171	(3)
Toucans	174	(1)
Woodcreepers	175	(2)
Antibirds	177	(2)
Manakins	179	(2)
Cotingas	181	(2)
American Flycatchers	183	(2)
Wrens	185	(2)
Thrushes and Mockingbirds	187	(2)
Jays	189	(2)
Warblers and Other Small, Flitting Birds	191	(2)
Blackbirds and Orioles	193	(3)
Tanagers	196	(3)
Sparrows and Grosbeaks	199	(2)
Environmental Close-Up 3: Illegal Traffic in Rare Animals: The Case of the Mexican Parrot	201	(3)
Mammals	204	(35)
Introduction	204	(1)
General Characteristics	205	(1)
Classification	205	(1)
Features of Tropical Mammals	206	(1)
Seeing Mammals in Topical Mexico	207	(1)
Family Profiles	208	(28)
Opossums	208	(2)
Bats	210	(5)
Primates	215	(4)
Anteaters and Armadillos	219	(2)
Rodents	221	(4)
Carnivores	225	(5)
Peccaries and Deer	230	(2)
Tapir	232	(1)
Marine Mammals	233	(3)
Environmental Close-Up 4: Endemism: Political System Advocating the End of the World, or Something More Interesting?	236	(3)
Coral Reef Wildlife	239	(4)
References	243	(2)
Habitat Photos	245	(10)
Identification Plates 1--104	255	(209)
WCS Conservation Work in Latin America	464	(8)
WCS Membership Information Page	472	(2)
Species Index	474	(14)
General Index	488