Los Cabos Wildlife

Los Cabos Wildlife

The Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, which together form a semicircle at the tip of Los Cabos, are richer in flora and fauna than the desert that forms the landmass. Still, this relatively small region has a surprising mix of terrains and flora and fauna.

Sport-fishing first put Los Cabos on the tourist map. With as many as 40,000 marlin and swordfish routinely hooked each year, the Mexican government was moved to establish strict rules governing the sport. Only one marlin, sailfish, or swordfish per fisherman a day is allowed, and anglers are strongly encouraged to return all billfish to the sea.

But the wealth of marine life goes far beyond world-record game fish. Included among the more than 850 species of fish swimming these waters are black codfish, bonito, dogfish, dorado, flounder, mackerel, rooster fish, sardines, sea bass, shark, small anchovy, tuna, and wahoo. Many varieties of mollusks and crustaceans, such as squid, clams, mussels, snail, lobster, fiddler crab, and shrimp, also live below the surface.

Fifty-foot gray whales migrate here each January, giving birth and then heading back north to the Bering Strait through early April. Colonies of seals and sea lions can be seen sunning themselves on the rocks around El Arco, one of the the only "land's ends" in the world.

Leatherback turtles, the only sea turtles without a hard shell, come ashore between November and February. More than 100 of these large reptiles (some as long as 8 feet and topping 1,200 lbs) lumber up beaches along the Corridor to scoop out a hole in the sand, where they drop their eggs during the night. Each turtle delivers about 100 eggs, which drop two or three at a time every four to 10 seconds. The mother then returns to the sea to follow her migratory path, often swimming as far away as Japan. When eggs hatch (about 56 days later), the hatchlings scramble to the sea. Many are snatched up by birds. Those that survive may return 20 or 30 years later to lay their eggs on the same beach.

In addition to the leatherback, four other species are found in Baja California: the green turtle, hawksbill, loggerhead, and olive ridley. A Los Cabos-based organization, Associatión Subcalifornia de Proteccional Medio Ambiente y la Tortuga Marina (ASUPMATOMA; Association for the Protection of the Environment and the Marine Turtle in Southern Baja), raises awareness about these endangered creatures. To get involved, consult the ASUPMATOMA Web site at www.savetheseaturtles.org.

On trail hikes, you can walk through dry riverbeds at sea level up to mountains that peak near 7,000 feet to see cactus, tropical palms, and pine and oak trees growing in the same forest. Active hot springs and natural freshwater springs in the mountains disappear underground by the time they reach the foothills. Among the none-too-glamorous land fauna are coyote, wild sheep, badgers, gophers, California hare, and rice rats.

Almost half the 250 species of birds identified in Los Cabos are seacoast or open-sea birds; a small group is found in the high mountains. Species include the red-tailed hawk, black-tailed gnatcatcher, caspian tern, roadrunner, frigate bird, brown pelican, gila woodpecker, turkey vulture, osprey, quail, common ground and white-winged dove, cardinal, verdin, common yellow throat warbler, coot, and lesser nighthawk.

Nearly 3,000 plant species have been identified in Baja California, with almost 40% growing in the Los Cabos area. Of these, 275 are native to the region and found mostly on the dry and rocky hillsides. Despite an arid desert climate, Los Cabos has diverse soil types that support three general groups of vegetation: desert (mainly cacti); crops; and fruit trees. Among the 60 identified species of cacti are the plentiful cardon, said to cure toothaches and heal wounds; the pitahaya, whose fruit was a main staple of the Pericú Indians; and the giant, carrotlike cirio, native only to Baja California and Sonora. Other cactus varieties include the cholla, garambullo, palo adan, yucca, valida, and ocotillo. Common crops include strawberries, lettuces, melons, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes. Mango and citrus trees, papaya, and coconut thrive near water sources, such as the San José River.