Exotic Wildlife of Jaltemba Bay Mexico
Tara A. Spears
‘Wild thing/You make my heart sing/You make everything groovy/
Wild thing, I think I love you…’
When I first visited Mexico, I came for the weather and the beach. The visit was enhanced by the new food and vibrant culture but when Istarted observing the exotic wildlife it became an adventure! I grew up in a landlocked suburb in Midwest, North America where the only wildlife was squirrels and rabbits that had adapted to human sprawl. Coming face to face with exotic wild creatures that I had previously only read about was so exciting! With the recent appearance of the adorable elephant seal, I now have nine favorite animals that live in or near Jaltemba Bay Mexico. How many have you noticed?
All of the wildlife mentioned in this article are an essential part of the spectacular biodiversity of Nayarit. I’ve grouped my favorites by their habitat: those that inhabit the air; marine ocean dwellers; and land creatures. The only one that I haven’t personally seen is the beautiful, timid jaguar, but I do know locals that have.
The biggest wildlife impact stems from loss of habitat. Situated within Mexican state Nayarit, Jaltemba Bay offers 40 miles of stunning Pacific coastline edged by the wondrous Sierra MadreMountains and offering endless natural marvels. Once this coast had sleepy, picturesque fishing villages but in the last 20 years foreign investors have made strides into turning the villages into cities.
Starting from the top, a day at the beach provides a relaxing observation of tropical seabirds. The Magnificent Frigate birds are common along the both coasts of Mexico. They are standout for their large, angular wings and distinctive silhouettes as they soar over tropical waters, often harassing other seabirds for food. The males have noticeable red throat pouches. One of the most spectacular sights in the bird world is the mating display of the Magnificent Frigate bird. During the breeding season, which typically occurs from December to April, males can gather in large groups, inflating their red throat pouches and making drumming sounds with their beaks to attract females.
Next, this bird is another charmer. The unique Blue-footed Booby is definitely an exotic bird to most people. Blue-footed Boobies primarily inhabit tropical and subtropical regions along the Pacific coast. They are found on islands and coastal areas. While there are not any permanent residents in our bay, the Blue-footed Booby in a frequent visitor. Among the features that define these birds are their vague look, stumbling walk, and of course, those neon blue feet. 
Despite their odd walk on land, they are excellent swimmers and even better fishers. JB is a midpoint between two protected Blue footed booby nesting areas: to the north, Isla Isabel National Park, Nayarit and to the south, the Los Arcos de Mismaloya, Vallarta, Jalisco.
My number one seabird favorite is the Brown Pelicans. The Pelicans have always been my favorite seabird because of their amazing behavior and their unique appearance. JB is very fortunate to have a beautiful little island that is a breeding spot for several species of seabirds, including the Brown Pelican. Sociable Pelicans nest in sizable colonies for safety. It is a sign of the species evolution that these wild birds have not only learned to tolerate humans but have adjusted their diet to interact with people on the beaches around the world. In Jaltemba Bay they will gobble tortillas or other people food tossed to them. Clever opportunists, Pacific Pelicans also steal food from other seabirds and scavenge dead animals.
Next the Pacific Ocean boast so many fantastic species of sea life. I have always found such peace and calm on the ocean. But the recent opportunity to see such a magnificent sea mammal was priceless! The presence last week of a completely unexpected visitor captured the hearts of many spectators besides mine. A huge elephant seal decided to lie down on the sand like any other beachgoer. His appearance left tourists, local workers, and residents speechless, and news media flocked to record his presence. This unusual visit of a large marine mammal not only generated curiosity, but I was happy to see a quick implementation of a special security operation. Local, state, and federal authorities coordinated efforts to protect both the animal and the people who approached it, ensuring that neither the wild animal or onlookers were injured. Look at that face! What’s not to love?
I’ve been a lifelong supporter of save the whales conservation groups and now I live where I can see them regularly. Whales inhabit the Jaltemba Bay from December through March each year. The most frequently seen species are Gray whales and Humpbacks. Of the most numerous whales that you will see in JB, the Humpbacks are famed for acrobatics. It is so powerful to witness the whales breed and give birth in warm waters of JB. 
Although it is possible to catch a glimpse of whales from shore, it is best to go out in a boat. When choosing a whale watching tour, opt for the ones with smaller vessels as they produce less noise and minimum disruption to whales.
Last of the ocean exotics are bizarre. Jellyfish and Portuguese man o war. The Portuguese Man O’ war, a venomous marine organism, appears along the beaches of the Nayarit, most often in the summer months. Though often mistaken for a jellyfish, this floating colony of organisms carries a painful sting that beachgoers should be prepared to avoid—or treat properly if contact occurs. True Pacific jellyfish also should not be touched as their tendrils cause skin irritation. Both of these marine species are pretty, unique organisms when viewed floating in the water or washed up on the beach, just don’t touch them.
We started with our attention in the clouds, moved to wiggling our toes in the sand, and now we’re going to walk on the wild side. The first exotic wild animal I saw was the ubiquitous Green Iguana when I stayed at a hotel. Since I retired to Jaltemba Bay, I have both types of iguanas in my yard. I always think of dinosaurs and dragons when I see one. Because the iguana is territorial, I have had them in my swimming pool (when I’m in it) and inside my house. The Black spiny-tailed iguanas are social and territorial animals that live in colonies and are a large, bulky lizard that can get up to 20 kilos. The common green iguana is very shy and easier to live with.
Next, I didn’t even know that there were boa constrictor snakes on this continent until I saw them in my neighborhood and yard. I’m not fond of snakes in general but the size of the boas here is impressive. The Boa constrictor is a non-venomous, slow-moving snake that plays an important role in balancing local ecosystems. It hunts mainly at night, using its powerful muscles to constrict its prey—usually rodents, birds, or reptiles although I have seen them eat neighbor’s kittens. Despite its reputation, the boa is not aggressive and poses no threat to humans when left undisturbed. Seeing this reptile slithering around Guayabitos definitely adds to the adventure of being south of the border.
Last on our introduction to wild kingdom Mexican style, is the majestic king of the jungle, the Jaguar. For more than 2,000 years the jaguar was respected and venerated by the Olmecs and Mayans and continues to be an important cultural symbol.
Getting to see – let alone photograph- a jaguar in the wild is not an easy task. Despite being a large animal (it is the third largest feline in the world, surpassed only by the tiger and the lion), it is clever, elusive and rarely seen. Finding them in their habitat is an enormous challenge, as they spend most of their lives alone, with a density of 2 to 4 individuals per 100 square kilometers. In the dense first growth jungles that surround Jaltemba Bay towns, jaguars have the conditions that they need to thrive. The jaguar’s role as a hunter is essential for the health of the ecosystems it inhabits. It helps to prevent an excessive number of the animals it hunts. Unfortunately, the jaguar is considered an Endangered Species and has strong government protection.
Whether you come to Jaltemba Bay for a week, a season, or a lifetime, there is lots of exotic wildlife to appreciate. Mexico is an important migratory corridor for wildlife and also provides wintering habitat for several species of birds, mammals and marine animals. Mexico faces several challenges to wildlife management and conservation efforts but as the local situation with the elephant seal demonstrated, the government and conservation groups are united in protecting its wildlife.
I will never experience a safari to see big game but I get thrills and enjoyment from the diverse wildlife of Jaltemba Bay.