Zona 2: Ejidos Nuevo León, El Limonar, Santa María Pixoy and Nuevo Tesoco
March - April, 2004
These photos came from the second of four study zones, this time on property with some agricultural and ranching use.
Again, the study has 24 cameras distributed over approximately 25 square kilometers.
The red numbers in the lower right hand corner indicate the date and time.


The white-winged dove (Zenaida asiatica) is found in the soutwestern USA but ranges more into the tropical parts of the Americas. Northern dove species eat mostly seeds, while tropical ones prefer fruit. The white-winged dove consumes a mixed diet of fruit and seeds.
The chachalaca (Ortalis vetula) feeds on seeds, fruit, leaves and insects. Related to the curassows of Central and South America, it is the alarm clock of the forest. As soon as the sky begins to gray in the morning, the raucous calls of one or two birds spread rapidly to others nearby.

The paca (Agouti paca) is a large solitary rodent, weighing up to 30 pounds. It is found through a large part of South America and northward through central Mexico. Feeding on fallen fruit, tubers and other vegetation it is generally found near water. A prized game animal for humans, the paca is also likely prey for jaguars.
Not every animal poses nicely to have its picture taken. A large member of the weasel family, the tayra (Eira barbara) is also found through a major portion of South America and up through Central America to the middle of Mexico. Omnivorous and bold, they travel quickly through the forest and are often seen by people.

 

These two photos of the same jaguar were taken a minute apart. Curiosity is not restricted to humans.
Comparison of coat patterns among the jaguars photographed in the study will be the method used for distinguishing one animal from another. The size, number and placement of spots, referred to as rosettes, is unique to each individual.

The grey-necked wood rail (Aramides cajanea) is a common, but shy, bird found in forests and wetlands from central Mexico through much of South America. An omnivore, it eats plant material as well as crabs, insects, other arthropods and snails.
Collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) are closely related to pigs. They live in herds, eat an omnivorous diet and have a distinctive appearance including a long body, cylindrical snout and large pointed ears. However, one big difference is that baby peccaries are born ready to run, while piglets depend completely on their mothers for many weeks. Although able to defend themselves fiercely, peccaries are a favored prey species for jaguars.