Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve
IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Sian Kaʼan
Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve Location in Mexico
Location	Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Area	5,281 km2 (2,039 sq mi)
Established	1986
Administrator	National Commission of Natural Protected Areas
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Type:	Natural
Criteria:	vii, x
Designated:	1987 (11th session)
Reference #:	410
Region:	Latin America and the Caribbean
Ramsar Wetland
Designated:	27 November 2003
Reference #:	1329

The Sian Kaʼan Biosphere Reserve (which means "gate of heaven" or "a place where heaven begins" in the Mayan language) is a very special natural area in Quintana Roo, Mexico. It is located near the town of Tulum.

This amazing place was created in 1986 to protect its unique nature. Just one year later, in 1987, UNESCO named it a World Heritage Site. This means it is considered important for everyone in the world to protect.

Sian Kaʼan is a huge area. It covers about 5,280 square kilometers (which is about 2,039 square miles). Part of the reserve is on land, and part is in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. This includes a section of vibrant coral reef.

Protecting Nature and History

Many people work together to protect Sian Kaʼan. Scientists, students, and local people help with over 200 projects. They use scientific information to plan how to keep the environment healthy. They also find ways to use natural resources without harming them.

These efforts help protect eight natural areas along the Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo. These areas include coral reefs like Banco Chinchorro and places near Cancun and the islands of Cozumel and Contoy Island.

The "Amigos de Sian Kaʼan" project helps protect even more areas with many different plants and animals. They also focus on animals that are endangered or migrate through the area. This group also teaches local Mayan communities about ecotourism. Ecotourism helps people visit nature without damaging it, and it supports the local community.

Sian Kaʼan is not just about nature. It also has a rich history! There are about 23 known Maya archaeological sites here, including Muyil. You can also find parts of an old railway called the Decauville railway Vigía Chico-Santa Cruz. This railway was used a long time ago, from 1905 to 1932.

Amazing Animals of Sian Kaʼan

Sian Kaʼan is home to many incredible animals. Here are some of the species that live here:

• Mammals:
  • Yucatán black howler monkey: A monkey known for its loud calls.
  • Geoffroy's spider monkey: A monkey with long arms and a tail, great for swinging through trees.
  • Spotted paca: A large rodent with spots.
  • Central American agouti: Another rodent, similar to a large guinea pig.
  • Collared peccary: A wild pig-like animal with a "collar" mark.
  • Tayra: A weasel-like animal that lives in trees.
  • Greater grison: A small, long-bodied mammal.
  • Ocelot: A beautiful wild cat with spots.
  • Margay: Another spotted wild cat, smaller than an ocelot.
  • White-nosed coati: A mammal with a long snout, related to raccoons.
  • White-tailed deer: A common deer species.
  • Jaguar: The largest wild cat in the Americas.
  • Kinkajou: A nocturnal mammal with a long tail, sometimes called a "honey bear."
  • Puma: Also known as a cougar or mountain lion.
  • Jaguarundi: A small, slender wild cat.
  • Tamandua: An anteater that lives in trees.
  • Baird's tapir: A large mammal with a short, flexible snout.
  • White-lipped peccary: Another type of wild pig, known for moving in large groups.

• Birds:
  • Yellow-lored amazon: A colorful parrot.
  • Great blue heron: A large wading bird.
  • Crested caracara: A bird of prey with a distinctive crest.
  • Great curassow: A large, ground-dwelling bird.
  • Magnificent frigatebird: A large seabird known for its long wings.
  • Jabiru: A very large stork.
  • Ocellated turkey: A wild turkey with colorful spots.
  • Wood stork: A large wading bird.
  • Neotropic cormorant: A diving water bird.
  • Brown pelican: A large seabird that dives for fish.
  • American flamingo: A tall, pink wading bird.
  • Roseate spoonbill: A wading bird with a unique spoon-shaped bill.
  • Keel-billed toucan: A tropical bird with a huge, colorful bill.
  • King vulture: A large, colorful vulture.

• Reptiles:
  • American crocodile: A large reptile found in coastal areas.
  • Morelet's crocodile: A crocodile found in freshwater habitats.
  • Black iguana: A large lizard.

See also

• In Spanish: Sian Ka'an para niños