For the nature lover, mexico is the place to be. Mexico has over thirty thousand flowering plants of which the cactus is the plant which most people associate with Mexico. For the Marine lover there is also much to see. Whales, mackerel, sardine, barracuda, swordfish, shark and turtles are a few of the creatures which live in the surrounding seas. If you prefer to stay on land, animal you may encounter are wolves, lynx, bears, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, tapirs, monkeys, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, iguanas and the axolotl. Mexico is home to over one thousand species of birds such as parrots, macaws, toucans, flamingoes and humming birds. The quetzal was prized for its beautiful feathers used in Indian ceremonial dress. Nowadays the quetzal is rare.