Mexico

Mexico

2,656 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

2,656

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

524

Highest risk

Endangered

1,105

Very high risk

Vulnerable

1,027

High risk

Declining

67%

1,789 species

Category Breakdown
CR 524
EN 1105
VU 1027
CR: 524
EN: 1,105
VU: 1,027

Critically Endangered

52420%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

1,10542%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

1,02739%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 2,656 species

Species by Group
🌱

plants

1,435

1435 threatened

🐟

fishes

342

342 threatened

🐸

amphibians

235

235 threatened

🦗

insects

105

105 threatened

🐢

reptiles

102

102 threatened

🐾

mammals

93

93 threatened

🐦

birds

80

80 threatened

🍄

fungi

65

65 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

64

64 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

49

49 threatened

🪸

corals

43

43 threatened

🐚

molluscs

33

33 threatened

🕷️

arachnids

10

10 threatened

Global Share

4.77%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#2

of 253 countries

Endemic Threatened

1,476

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Mexico ranks among the world's most biodiverse countries, hosting approximately 10% of global species across varied ecosystems from the Sonoran Desert to the Mesoamerican Reef. The country encompasses 17 of 32 global biomes, including cloud forests, tropical dry forests, and extensive coastal wetlands. Current IUCN Red List 2025 data shows all 131 assessed species are threatened, with 100% classified as critically endangered across mammals (22/22), amphibians (53/53), other invertebrates (52/52), and crustaceans (4/4).

Mexico's biodiversity faces severe pressure from rapid urbanization, particularly around Mexico City and Guadalajara corridors, agricultural expansion in the Yucatan Peninsula, and coastal development threatening Caribbean and Pacific marine ecosystems. Deforestation rates in Chiapas and Oaxaca remain concerning, while water extraction in northern states impacts desert springs crucial for endemic species. The vaquita porpoise in the Gulf of California exemplifies Mexico's conservation challenges, with fewer than 20 individuals remaining due to illegal fishing practices.

Climate change compounds these pressures, particularly affecting high-altitude cloud forests and coral reefs. Mexico's National Commission for Protected Natural Areas (CONANP) manages 182 protected areas covering 90.8 million hectares, yet enforcement remains inconsistent. The country's trajectory appears deteriorating despite legislative frameworks, requiring intensified conservation efforts to prevent further species losses.

Tropical Dry ForestsCloud ForestsSonoran DesertMesoamerican ReefMangrovesPine-Oak Forests
Top Threats
1.Annual & perennial non-timber crops1,427 species
2.Logging & wood harvesting1,326 species
3.Livestock farming & ranching829 species
4.Housing & urban areas600 species
5.Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases486 species
6.Habitat shifting & alteration420 species
7.Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources408 species
8.Type Unknown/Unrecorded (pollution)291 species

Protected Areas

71 areas · 376,260 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Mexico: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/MX

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Mexico?
Mexico has 2,656 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 524 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Mexico have?
Of the 2,656 threatened species in Mexico, 524 are Critically Endangered, 1,105 are Endangered, and 1,027 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Mexico?
Among the 524 Critically Endangered species in Mexico, Quercus graciliformis is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Mexico?
Mexico has 71 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Alto Golfo de California y Delta del Río Colorado Biosphere Reserve, Archipiélago de Revillagigedo Biosphere Reserve, Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, and Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, among 67 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Mexico?
The most affected groups in Mexico, by number of threatened species, are plants (1,435), fishes (342), and amphibians (235). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Mexico?
The leading threats to threatened species in Mexico are annual & perennial non-timber crops, logging & wood harvesting, livestock farming & ranching, and housing & urban areas. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Mexico?
Mexico has 1,476 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of Mexico's threatened species have declining populations?
1,789 of Mexico's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Mexico compare to other countries for threatened species?
Mexico ranks #2 of 253 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 4.77% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Mexico come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Mexico profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.