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Natural History

By separating from the mainland millions of years ago, the Cape Region became rich in paleontological discoveries. Ancient fossil beds are found between the sierras and the East Cape, where wooly mammoths and other extinct species once roamed. The new Museum of the Californias, on the main square in Cabo San Lucas, showcases the natural history of the Los Cabos region, along with the fascinating history of the peninsula s first inhabitants and the Spanish colonial period. 

Flora & Fauna in Los Cabos

Flora and fauna are as diverse as the Cape s geography. From towering cardon cactus to the spiny ocotillo and the pungent aphrodisiac herb damiana, over 4,000 plant species and more than a hundred species of cactus grow on the Baja peninsula. Trees range from the graceful white-trunked palo blanco, wild fig, and mesquite to endemic palms, and the torote, known as the elephant tree for its bulbous gnarly trunk.  Cape vegetation consists of a sub-tropical thorn forest, and oak-piñon woodlands at higher elevations in the Sierra de La Laguna range. Cactus and drought tolerant plants and trees inhabit the lower regions, while at certain elevations in the sierras, pine, palm and cactus co-exist side by side. All are bounded by dramatic rock formations and over 100 miles of beaches, with a live coral finger reef system at Cabo Pulmo, on the Sea of Cortez side of the cape.The estuary at San Jose del Cabo is an important staging ground for more than one hundred native and migrating bird populations including the endangered least tern. The magnificent frigate bird and endangered brown pelican dominate the shore, while Xantus hummingbirds, birds of prey, colorful cardinals and orioles, and many other species make Los Cabos a birdwatcher s heaven.On the ground, roadrunners, lizards, iguanas, reptiles and hundreds of insects dominate the desert. In the outback roam coyote, fox, mountain lion, deer, wild burros, and hardy cattle brought by Jesuit priests in the 1700s.
The magnificent California gray whale makes an annual 6,000-mile migration from Arctic waters to the calm lagoons midway down the peninsula. From January to late March, they are seen frolicking offshore, along with the acrobatic humpbacks and other species. The Sea of Cortez is the earth s youngest and richest sea, with seals and sea lions, dolphins, rays, whale sharks and over 800 species of fish, including highly prized black and blue marlin and sailfish.

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