Ethnozoology

The list below gives the terms for animals that we’ve collected during the course of this project, along with information about the beliefs and customs surrounding them.

  • akaku:lú:klh —Scorpion (Ord. Scorpiones)
  • akakúxtu’ —Vinegaroon, Whipscorpion (Mastigoproctus giganteus), large arthropod that sprays a foul-smelling liquid; said to plant corn with its pincers
  • akaslú:knu’ (Ch. (Pt. akaslú:tnu’)) —unidentified species of small, thin ant that bites and lives in logs
  • a’hachóh —large species of Crayfish (Fam. Astacidae)
  • a’hapu:mú:xni’ —Barn Owl (Tyto alba), its call is said to foretell death
  • a’hchuchutspú:n —Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus)
  • a’hlhtama:ná’ (Ch. (Pt. a’hstamaná’)) —1) Potter Wasp (Subfam. Eumeninae); 2) mud from this wasp’s nest, used for suppressing vomiting
  • a’hlhtama:taxká:t —a wild honey-producing bee (Tax. Anthophila) which builds hives out of mud in holes in the ground and stings
  • a’hpilí:’ —any of various yellow-breasted fly-catchers including the Tropical Kingbird (Tyrannus melancholicus), the Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus), and the Social Flycatcher (Myiozetetes similis)
  • a’hpulú’ —1) tadpole; 2) Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)
  • a’hstamaná’ (Pt. (Ch. a’hlhtama:ná’)) —1) Potter Wasp (Subfam. Eumeninae); 2) mud from this wasp’s nest, used for suppressing vomiting
  • a’hsto’honá’ —1) unidentified species of black wasp (Fam. Vespidae) that lives in large colonies in closed nests made from mud stuck to flat surfaces; 2) this wasp’s nest
  • a’htzastzí:’ya’ —Tayra (Eira barbara)
  • a’htzí:s —Flea (Ord. Siphonaptera)
  • a’htzó’ho’ —1) Ch. unidentified species of green Grasshopper (Subord. Caleifera); 2) Pt. unidentified species of Moth (Subord. Heterocera), the large ones are said to be a bad omen
  • a’kchu:kún —Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
  • a’klhchí’chi’ —Dobsonfly (Corydalus cornutus), particularly the hellgrammite or aquatic larval stage, which is fried and eaten
  • a’klhpu’pu’kú:n —unidentified species of Dove (Fam. Columbidae)
  • a’klhta:miyá:n (Ch. (Pt. a’klhti:miyá:n)) —solitary male White-nosed Coatimundi (Nasua narica)
  • a’kpá’p —unidentified species of large, round-bellied frog or toad
  • a’ksla:mám —winged stage of an unidentified carpenter ant or termite, comes out in swarms just before a rain
  • a’ktzúnku’ —Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus)
  • a’xtuluncha:án (Ch. ) —unidentified species of ant
  • cha:án —Ant (Fam. Formicidae)
  • cha:’ká:n —Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus)
  • cha:’ku:a’hxtát (Ch. (Pt. cha:’kuwa’kxtát)) —unidentified species of large green caterpillar with poisonous spines
  • cha:’sá’ha’ (Pt. (Ch. cha:’séh)) —Golden-Fronted Woodpecker (Centurus aurifrons)
  • chacha’há’t —any large-bodied large-bodied frog or toad (Order Anura)
  • cha’chá:n —Kingfisher (Fam. Alcedinidae)
  • chá’hni’ —Great-tailed Grackle (Cassidix mexicanus)
  • chi:náj (Ch. (Pt. tzi:náj)) —breed of Chicken (Gallus gallus) with curly feathers
  • chi:x (Ch.) —unidentified species of Cricket (Fam. Gryllidae)
  • chichí’ —Dog (Canis familiaris)
  • chiní:ni’ —unidentified species of green Cicada (Fam. Cicadidae)
  • chinkarú:xa (Pt. (Ch. ma’lhtantzí’tzi’)) —Dragonfly (Ord. Odonata)
  • chixchinkiwí:lu —Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae)
  • cho:lhchó:lh (Pt. (Ch. matzolhtzólh)) —unidentified species of burrowing Cricket (Fam. Gryllidae) that chirps before a rain
  • chu:rúkx —unidentified species of white Cricket (Fam. Gryllidae)
  • chú:’ni’ —Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus)
  • chukchúk —Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)
  • chu’kulajláj —1) Northern Jacana (Jacana spinosa); 2) gallinita or ruedas, a children’s game in which players form a circle holding hands and start to run chanting “chukulá, chukulá, chukulajláj”, and when they get to “chukulajláj” they jump
  • chu’kúyu’ —unidentified species of large, poisonous caterpillar, reddish-brown with fine white spines, causes rashes and itching, possibly a Puss Caterpillar (larva of the Flannel Moths, Fam. Megalopygidae)
  • hayán —Turtle (Ord. Testudines)
  • hayanchú:ni’ —Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura)
  • he:lá:k (Pt. (Ch. he:lá’h)) —large Paper Wasp (Polistes spp.) that builds open comb hives; its larva are eaten in March and April
  • he:míx —Millipede (Class Diplopoda)
  • he:pi:pé’hs (Ch. (Pt. he:pé’hsma’)) —scale on its back
  • he:stí:n —1) Ch. northwards (towards the north rim of the valley); 2) Pt. westwards (up the hill towards Zihuateutla at the west end of the valley)
  • he:xpi’yú’h (Ch.) —Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii or Crocodylus acutus)
  • henhali:s’óli’ —1) Northern Tamandu (Tamandua mexicana); 2) Elephant (Fam. Elephantidae)
  • henhaluló’hx (Pt. (Ch. henhaxlíuj)) —turkey’s snood
  • ho:lu:jtziwís —unidentified species of bird
  • hopulún —unidentified species of large, black scarab-like beetle
  • hoxúm (Pt. (Ch. u’xúm)) —variety of Bumblebee (Bombus spp.) that nests underground in large colonies
  • ho’x’a’ha:lhwá:’h —eggs with soft, flexible or leathery shells (lizards, turtles, etc.)
  • i’stajateje:rís —Earwig (Ord. Dermaptera), known as a pest on corn crops
  • i’xhenhaxlíuj ta’jná’ —species of Millipede (Class Diplopoda)
  • i’xi’lhtí’n pú:mpu’ —large variety of Dung Beetle (Fam. Scarabaeidae), attracted to lights, said to contain tiny ticks
  • i’xku’ka:ná’ pá’hlhma’ —unidentified species of caterpillar that carries bits of leaf for protection, touching it causes an itch
  • i’xlhawaná’ kú:ntzi’ (Pt. (Ch. tanholule:ni:ní’ i’xi’lhtí’n kawa:yúj)) —Dung Beetle (Fam. Scarabaeidae)
  • i’xlhawaná’ pa:milít —Spotted Wren (Campylorhynchus gularis)
  • i’xma:yú:lh lú:wa’ —Eastern Casquehead Iguana (Laemanctus longipes), said to be sent ahead to scout by the Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops asper); if one sees the lizard, one will see the snake
  • i’xpa’lha:nát ma:lhkuyúh —small, thin red worms that appear in large groups
  • i’xtanha:xta:’jín (Ch.) —unidentified species of aggressive honey Bee (Tax. Anthophila) that makes large, waxy nests on or near the ground
  • i’xtantojón xkú’ti’ —a litter of coatimundi, said to consist of seven kits
  • i’xta’ho’ki:’xí:x (Ch. (Pt. i’xto’hoki:’xí:x)) —Variable Coral Snake (Micrurus diastema)
  • ju:kilú:wa’ —Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor)
  • jú:ki’ —White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
  • ju:n —Hummingbird (Fam. Trochilidae)
  • ka:na:skí:’ti’ —unidentified species of fish, possibly Bobo Mullet or Hog Mullet (Joturus pichardi)
  • ka:na:taxká:t —large, stingless species of honey-producing wild bee (Tax. Anthophila)
  • kajlú:wa’ —Eastern Casquehead Iguana (Laemanctus longipes), said to be sent ahead to scout by the Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops asper); if one sees the lizard, one will see the snake
  • kalhné:lu (Sp. “carnero”) —Ram (Ovis aries)
  • kalhwantala’hjó:n (Ch. (Pt. kalhwantala’hjú:n)) —unidentified species of Cicada (Fam. Cicadidae)
  • kawa:yúj (Sp. “caballo”) —1) Horse (Equus caballus); 2) mule
  • káxli’ —hen, Chicken (Gallus gallus)
  • kaxtá:yu’ (Sp. “caballo”) —Horse (Equus caballus)
  • ki:’xí:x —Leaf-Cutter Ant (Atta spp.)
  • kilhchá:’xta’ (Ch. (Pt. kilhchá:’xtu’)) —unidentified freshwater fish
  • kilhkalánhx —unidentified species of biting ant that makes a clicking noise
  • kilhsakáj —Agouti (Dasyprocta mexicana)
  • kilhtzimú:ks —Central American Lance-head Viper, Fer-de-Lance, Terciopelo (Bothrops asper)
  • kilhxkaják (Pt. (Ch. kilhxkaját)) —1) Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus); 2) Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)
  • kilhxkaját (Ch. (Pt. kilhxkaják)) —1) Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus); 2) Emerald Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus prasinus)
  • kinkali:s’óli’ —Elephant (Fam. Elephantidae)
  • kinkaluló’hx (Pt. (Ch. kinkaxlíuj)) —turkey’s snood
  • ki’wi:pá’xni’ —Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu)
  • ki’wi:’ta’jná’ —1) Black Penelopina (Penelopina nigra); 2) Peacock (Pavo cristatus)
  • ki’wini:místu’ —feral Cat (Felis silvestris catus)
  • kú:chu’ (Ch. (Pt. ku:chú’)) —Red Crowned Parrot (Amazona viridigenalis)
  • kuklhku’ku’kú:n —unidentified species of dove (Fam. Columbidae)
  • kuklhpu’pu’kú:n —unidentified species of dove (Fam. Columbidae)
  • kuktzúnku’ (Pt. (Ch. a’ktzúnku’)) —Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus)
  • kukxtaknán —Grey-headed Dove (Leptotila plumbeiceps)
  • kunéju (Sp. “conejo”) —1) Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.); 2) (ni) one’s bicep
  • kupú:x —1) Pt. gallina ciega, larva of the June Beetle (Phyllophaga spp.), damages the roots of corn crops; 2) Ch. any insect grub that lives in the ground
  • kuyúj —Nine-Banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcintus)
  • ku’xi:lú:wa’ —Mexican Tiger Rat Snake (Spilotes pullatus mexicanus)
  • ku’xkú’x (Ch.) —Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium minutissimum)
  • ku’xtán —Biting Midge (Culicoides spp.)
  • ku’yú’tzi’ —White-crowned Parrot (Pionus senilus)
  • lajchúchu’ —Black-headed Saltator (Saltator atriceps)
  • lakajú:ki’ —Red Fire Ant (Solenopsis spp.)
  • lakapu’pu’kú:n —Sweat Bee (Fam. Halictidae)
  • lakasku:yák —grub of an unidentified termite or carpenter ant that lives in the tabaquillo tree (Lippia myriocephala), toasted and eaten, smells like sesame or peanuts; winged adults appear in swarms
  • laklhka:ná’ —1) Inchworm (larva of Moths of the Family Geometridae); 2) Glowworm (Fam. Phengodidae)
  • lantza’hát —Earthworm (Fam. Lumbricus)
  • la’hahá:’x —1) Ch. (Pt. kupú:x) gallina ciega, larva of the June Beetle (Phyllophaga), damages the roots of corn crops; 2) Pt. large beetle larva that lives in rotting wood
  • la’hasi’tni:ya:cha:án (Ch.) —unidentified species of Ant (Fam. Formicidae)
  • la’haswi’kú’ni’ (Pt. (Ch. la’has’á’ta’)) —unidentified large, brown caterpillar that looks like it has a baby’s face, said to appear to children who wrap their dolls up in diapers and treat them like babies
  • la’has’á’ta’ (Pt. (Ch. la’haswi’kú’ni’)) —unidentified large, brown caterpillar that looks like it has a baby’s face, said to appear to children who wrap their dolls up in diapers and treat them like babies
  • la’hatzi:ni:tzí:’ya’ —nocturnal species of Mouse (Mus spp.)
  • la’hatzo’hxtá:n —Mexican Mouse Opossum (Marmosa mexicana)
  • lá’ha’ —Resplendant Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno)
  • lá’kchu’ —Plain Chachalaca (Ortalis vetula)
  • lejwáh —Long-Billed Thrasher (Toxostoma longirostre)
  • li:súknu’ —unidentified type of quail-like bird that comes in flocks during the winter
  • li’klí:k —Sparrowhawk (Falco sparverius)
  • ló:ho:’ —Common Egret (Casmerodius albus) or Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
  • lu:jchúm —green treefrog, possibly Rainfrog (Eleuthero dactylus)
  • lu:waskí:ti’ —freshwater Eel (Fam. Anguillidae)
  • lú:wa’ —1) snake; 2) worm or worm-like invertebrate
  • lu:’tú:n —unidentified species of fish
  • lhtu’ku:’xtá:n —Mexican Porcupine (Coendou mexicanus)
  • ma:chenhalá:n —Spider (Order Aranea)
  • ma:halhani:ní’ —type of Cicada (Fam. Cicadidae), said to make the day longer
  • ma:pé’pi’ —unidentified aquatic beetle, possibly a variety of Water Scorpion (Naucoris spp.), about a centimeter long that lives under rocks in the water, bites, and has a bad odour
  • ma:pi:nín —lay eggs (birds)
  • ma:tanki’pxní’ (Ch.) —unidentified species of Cricket (Fam. Gryllidae)
  • ma:tzi’si:ní’ —unidentified species of Cricket (Fam. Gryllidae)
  • ma:tzi’tzí:tu (Ch.) —unidentified species of burrowing Cricket (Fam. Gryllidae)
  • ma:tzulumpí’ni’ —Salamander (prob. Pseudoeurycea spp.) that chirps before a rainfall, said to be the oldest of all the animals
  • ma:xiwi’hní’ —Clay-colored Robin (Turdus grayi) or Grayish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens), its song is said to cause the corn to produce fruit
  • ma:xku’tu:nú’ —Fruitfly (Fam. Drosophilidae)
  • ma:’hs’o:nchawá:n —unidentified species of Wasp (Fam. Vespidae)
  • mahentzás —large black Bumblebee (Bombus spp.) that lives in tree trunks
  • makskút xká’pa’ —red Tick (Fam. Ixodidae)
  • mapachí:n (Sp. “mapache”) —Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
  • matitwíuj (Ch.) —Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus)
  • matzolhtzólh (Ch. (Pt. cho:lhchó:lh)) —unidentified species of burrowing cricket (Fam. Gryllidae) that chirps before a rain
  • ma’halhuyunú’ —1) spiderweb; 2) unidentified species of Spider (Subord. Araneomorphae) with a strong, sticky web
  • ma’hapá’hlhcha’ —small, unidentified fresh water Shrimp (Infraord. Caridea) with a soft shell
  • ma’hapu:palhná’ —Swallow (Fam. Hirundinidae), said to sweep the clouds out of the sky after a rain
  • ma’hapusúm —unidentified species of Crayfish (Fam. Astacidae), with large, thick claws
  • ma’hatenkerén (Ch. (Pt. ma’hatenterén)) —Crab (Infraorder Brachyura)
  • ma’hatzi’tzít (Ch.) —unidentified species of Cricket (Fam. Gryllidae)
  • ma’haxúpi’ —acocil (Cambarellus montezumae), species of small crayfish
  • ma’hstanlhalhát lú:wa’ (Ch. (Pt. ma’hxaxát lú:wa’)) —Neotropical Rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus)
  • ma’lhtantzí’tzi’ (Ch. (Pt. chinkarú:xa)) —Dragonfly (Ord. Odonata)
  • misín —1) jaguar (Panthera onca); 2) nagual, witch who can take the form of a jaguar
  • misini:ló:ho:’ —Bare-Throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicana)
  • místu’ —1) Domestic Cat (Felis domesticus); 2) vul. female genitalia
  • miyón (Ch.) —Yellow-Throated Euphonia (Euphonia hirundinacea)
  • mi’tzí’tzi’ —unidentified species of Cicada (Fam. Cicadidae)
  • monhxú’h —Owl (Fam. Strigidae)
  • mú:xni’ —1) Central American Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi); 2) (ni) vul. female genitalia
  • mutmút —Blue-Crowned Motmot (Motmotus momota)
  • nejwáj —Grey Silky-Flycatcher (Ptiligonys cinereus)
  • ni:ni:ya:cha:án —small red species of Ant (Fam. Formicidae), leaves it head behind when it bites
  • ni:ni:ya:tantzasná:n —Inca Dove (Columbina inca)
  • o:rajspú:n —Yellow-Billed Cacique (Ambylcercus holosericeus)
  • pa:ho’ha:xtá:n —Common Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)
  • pa:lejxpi’pi’lé:h (Ch. (Pt. xalenhén xpi’pi’lé:h)) —large cobalt blue butterfly with black borders on its wings, possibly the Blue Morpho (Morpho peleides)
  • pa:su:ná:n —small unidentified species of minnow
  • pa:túxu (Sp. “pato”) —Duck (Fam. Anatidae)
  • pa:xwana:’cha:án —Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla spp.), said to be an ill-omen
  • pá:’ha’ —Brown Jay (Psilorhinus morio)
  • palu:máx (Sp. “paloma”) —feral Rock Dove (Columba livia domestica)
  • parákx —Glaucous Cracker (Hamadryas glauconome), butterfly that makes a cracking sound to drive off conspecific intruders
  • pata’tá’ —Clay-Coloured Robin (Turdus grayi) or Grayish Saltator (Saltator coerulescens)
  • pá’xni’ —Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domestica)
  • pi:lú:n —unidentified dark grey wading bird (smaller than egret), eats fish
  • pi:tz (Ch.) —unidentified bird
  • pixtawaká’ —1) kerchief, bandana; 2) unidentified speices of butterfly with translucent wings
  • pi’chá:wa’ —1) Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos); 2) flying monster that carries people away; 3) spirit in the form of an eagle that enters the house at night and lets out a string of saliva to trap children’s souls
  • pí’tu’ —Groove-Billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris)
  • po:no:nó:n (Ch.) —unidentified species of large pale-green butterfly
  • pó’hxni’ xká’pa’ —tick-like arthopod, possibly Chigoe Flea, Jigger (Tunga penetrans)
  • pu:kím —Firefly, Lightning Bug (Fam. Lampyridae)
  • pú:knu’ —Common Ground Dove (Columbina passerina)
  • pu:lhka:ná’ —1) surveyor, person who measures land; 2) inchworm (larva of moths of the Family Geometridae)
  • pú:ru (Sp. “burro”) —Donkey (Equus asinus)
  • pu:wayá:n (Pt. (Ch. pu:’yú:’)) —Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
  • pu:x’a:’pá:’ha’ —Moctezuma Oropendola (Gymnostinops montezuma)
  • pu:yú:m —1) flower of the corn plant; 2) small unidentified fly that lives on corn, said to change into cueltas (larva of the Neotropical Silkmoth Arsenura armida)
  • pu:’yú:’ (Ch. (Pt. pu:wayá:n)) —Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis)
  • puré:ku’ (Sp. “borrego”) —Sheep (Ovis aries)
  • purí:tu’ (Sp. “burrito”) —Donkey (Equus asinus)
  • puyú:x (Sp. “pollo”) —Rooster (Gallus gallus)
  • sa’káj —Hispid Pocket Gopher (Orthogeomys hispidus)
  • sa’sán —Hooded Skunk (Mephitis macroura)
  • sé:raj (Sp. “cera”) —1) wax; 2) candle; 3) Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
  • sipejchichí’ —Coyote (Canis latrans)
  • sipejspú:n —Great Curassow (Crax rubra)
  • si’tiní’ —larva of a Case-Bearing Moth (possibly Phereoeca uterella), a small worm that builds a flat wax casing shaped like a pumpkin seed; it is said to eat people’s hair and leave a bald spot where the hair was taken from
  • ska:kna:’spú:n —Slate-Throated Whitestart (Myioborus miniatus), sings in April and its song predicts clear weather
  • ská:ta’ —Louse (Pediculus humanus)
  • skauj —1) Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.); 2) (ni) muscle
  • ska’tán —Red Brocket (Mazama americana)
  • skuluncha:án (Ch. (Pt. xkulu:cha:án)) —small orange-coloured Honeypot Ant (Fam. Formicidae) that moves quickly; it lives in trees, produces honey, and has a painful bite
  • slu:má’h —unidentified species of small bottom-feeding fish that clings to rocks
  • slulh —Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii or Crocodylus acutus)
  • slu’lú’ku’ —any small, fast-running Lizard (Fam. Anguidae) with smooth or glossy skin
  • sma’ján —Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata), seeing one is said to be a bad omen that foretells the death of close family
  • sma’jani:lú:wa’ —unidentified species of non-venomous snake
  • sná’ti’ —Turkey hen (Meleagris gallopavo)
  • stajatejerís xpi’pi’lé:h —Swallowtail Butterfly (Fam. Papilionidae)
  • stajatú’j —Earwig (Ord. Dermaptera), known as a pest on corn crops
  • stalanha’xtá:n —Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
  • sta’ku:’misín (Pt. (Ch. xahe:misín)) —1) Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis); 2) Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
  • stá’pu’ —No-See-Um, very small species of Biting Midge (Fam. Ceratopogonidae)
  • stá’ya’ —Squirrel (Sciurus spp.)
  • stonhontzí:’ya’ —Shrew (Fam. Soricidae)
  • su:la:xúlh (Ch.) —unidentified bottom-feeding fish with barbs near mouth that keep it from being swallowed
  • sunku’nú’ —Northern Tamandu (Tamandua mexicana)
  • suwehwám —species of treefrog (possibly Red-eyed Treefrog Agalychnis callidryas)
  • suyu:’lú:wa’ —Tropical Whipsnake (Masticophis mentovarius)
  • swayaná’ (Pt. (Ch. xki’wá’h)) —1) swimmer; 2) Water Strider (Fam. Gerridae)
  • swilunkuyúj (Ch.) —unidentified species of burrowing cricket
  • s’etiná’h —Chigger, Harvest Mite (Fam. Trombiculidae)
  • s’o:n —Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamais)
  • ta:stalanhán (Ch.) —Sweat Bee (Fam. Halictidae)
  • ta:s’atán —Ruddy Quail Dove (Geotrygon montana)
  • tampi’li:ha’chí:n —large brown unidentified caterpillar that moves by writhing and is poisonous to the touch
  • tampo’hmisín (Pt. (Ch. xahe:misín)) —1) Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis); 2) Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
  • tampu’chú’n —minnow
  • tancháuj —Greater Grison (Galictis vittata)
  • tanha:lá:n —unidentified species of ant that lives in logs and bamboo
  • tanha:tzi’tzí’ —Neotropical River Otter (Lutra longicaudis)
  • tanhé:’x (Ch.) —Mexican Cormorant, Olivaceous Cormorant (Phalacrocorax olivaceus)
  • tanholí’ —Grey-Breasted Wood-Wren (Henicorhina leucophyrs), said to be a bad omen
  • tanholule:ni:ní’ i’xi’lhtí’n kawa:yúj (Ch. (Pt. i’xlhawaná’ kú:ntzi’)) —Dung Beetle (Fam. Scarabaeidae)
  • tankáx —Mexican Moccasin, Taylor’s Cantil (Agkistrodon bilineatus taylori)
  • tankí’wi’ —1) Grey Fox (Urocyon cinereoargentus); 2) Jaguarondi, Eyra (Herpailurus yagouaroundi)
  • tantzapú:la’ —Giant Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), intestinal parasite
  • tantzasná:n —Rock Dove, Common Pigeon (Columba livia)
  • tantzi’kni:ló:ho:’ —Ruddy Crake (Laterallus ruber)
  • tantzi’kní’ —Golden-Crowned Warbler (Basileuterus culicivorus), comes out in cool weather
  • tasijlú:wa’ (Pt. (Ch. tasiujlú:wa’)) —Vine Snake (Oxybelis aeneus), believed to cause recently-visited relatives of the person who sees it to die
  • taxká:t —unidentified species of small black wild Bee (Tax. Anthophila) which nests in tree trunks
  • ta’jná’ —1) Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo); 2) young leaves of Elephant Ears (Xanthosoma robustum Schott), boiled and eaten
  • ta’la’xú:x —Eastern Casquehead Iguana (Laemanctus longipes)
  • te:rikichíj —unidentified species of large black-bodied Grasshopper (Subord. Caleifera) with yellow antennae and a crackled yellow pattern on the top sides of the wings, red underneath
  • tejxkán —Bedbug (Cimex spp.)
  • téntzu’ —1) Goat (Capra hircus); 2) goat’s beard; 3) bushy beard
  • tiwi:ntiwí:n (Ch.) —unidentified dark brown insectivorous bird found near the river during the winter months
  • tonkilín —unidentified species of cicada (Fam. Cicadidae)
  • tu’yú’m (Ch. (Pt. tu’yú’n)) —Thicket Tinamou (Crypturellus cinnamomeus)
  • tza:mi:yá:nhs (Pt. (Ch. tza:mi:yá:’ks)) —winged stage of the Leaf-Cutter Ant (Atta spp.); it emerges in swarms with the first heavy rains in June, according to tradition on the 24 of June during the festival of San Juan, and is eaten toasted or raw
  • tza:wín (Ch. (Pt. xó’he’)) —Snail (Class Gastropoda)
  • tzapúla’ —Giant Roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides), intestinal parasite
  • tza’lí:lh —freshwater Shrimp (Infraord. Caridea)
  • tza’tzaná’ —small variety of Army Ant (Fam. Formicidae)
  • tzi:náj (Pt. (Ch. chi:náj)) —breed of Chicken (Gallus gallus) with curly feathers
  • tzí:nkwa’ (Ch.) —Jaguarondi, Eyra (Herpailurus yaguaroundi)
  • tzi:’ya:’xtá:n —Mexican Mouse-Opossum (Marmosa mexicana)
  • tzí:’ya’ —Mouse (Mus musculus)
  • tzilinspú:n —Slate-Coloured Solitaire (Myadestes unicolor)
  • tzíntzi’ —Red Mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) found on nesting hens
  • tzi’mán —small unidentified species of fly that is attracted to garbage, wounds, eyes, etc.
  • tzi’ntzi:stá’ya’ (Ch.) —small chipmunk-like Squirrel (Fam. Sciuridae)
  • tzi’ntzi:xká’pa’ —small Tick (Fam. Ixodidae)
  • tzi’wana:kú’ni’ —unidentified caterpillar with spines that cause an itch
  • tzu:ks —Yellow-Breasted Crake (Porzana flaviventer)
  • tzu’lu’mpi’hní’n —unidentified species of chirping insect
  • u’xúm (Ch. (Pt. hoxúm)) —variety of Bumblebee (Bombus spp.) that nests underground in large colonies
  • wa:ká:n —unidentified bird of prey, poss. Laughing Falcon (Herpetotheres cachinnans)
  • wa:káx (Sp. “vaca”) —Cow, Cattle, Ox (Bos taurus)
  • wá:pa:’ (N. “guapote”) —1) species of Cichlid (Fam. Cichlidae); 2) wide-bladed machete
  • wa:’yá:’ —Common Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus)
  • wa’pá’pa’ —Cane Toad, Giant Neotropical Toad (Bufo marinus)
  • wa’yasé:raj —species of Oriole (Icterus spp.), known for eating bees, smaller than xwáya’ la:xáx
  • we:lhám (N. “cuetla”) —larva of the Neotropical Silk Moth (Arsenura armida), commonly fried and eaten; the caterpillar feeds in large groups on the Corkwood Tree (Heliocarpus appendiculatus) and is believed to be the seed of the Pumpwood Tree (Cecropia obtusifolia Bert.); the dung of this insect is said to attract flies and venomous snakes.
  • wenhén —Toad (Ord. Anura)
  • wítwit —species of yellow-breasted Tyrant Flycatcher (Fam. Tyrannidae)
  • wi’ki’lín —unidentified species of Cicada (Fam. Cicadidae) whose call sounds like an electronic beeper
  • xahe:misín (Ch. (Pt. sta’ku:’misín)) —1) Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis); 2) Margay (Leopardus wiedii)
  • xaka:na:u:tzá’ —Central American Lancehead Viper, Fer-de-Lance, Terciopelo (Bothrops asper)
  • xalakstín ku’xtán —Biting Midge (Fam. Ceratopogonidae)
  • xalenhén xpi’pi’lé:h —unidentified species of large Butterfly (Ord. Lepidoptera)
  • xalhkayá:wa’ xima:wá’ —Blow-fly, Greenbottle Fly (Fam. Calliphoridae), lays its eggs in open wounds or meat
  • xapa:tzu’tzó’ho’ spu:n —Vermillion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
  • xasimarón tzilinspú:n —Brown-Backed Solitaire (Myadestes obscurus)
  • xastajasmuku’ku:’lú:wa’ —immature yellow-tailed stage of the Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops asper)
  • xaswalánka xahe:misín (Ch.) —Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis)
  • xatzu’tzó’ho’ ki’wi:pá’xni’ —White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari)
  • xima:wá’ —Housefly (Musca domesticus)
  • xinu:lajspú:n —unidentified green bird with a blue head and red belly, red under the tail and an orange collar
  • xiwí’h —unidentified species of songbird
  • xka:ni:lú:wa’ —unidentified species of Snake (Subord. Ophidia)
  • xká’pa’ —Tick (Fam. Ixodidae)
  • xkí’ta’ —Bat (Order Chiroptera)
  • xki’wá:’ (Ch. (Pt. xki’wá:’k)) —large black Ant (Fam. Formicidae) that attacks other larger insects in swarms
  • xki’wá’h (Ch. (Pt. swayaná’)) —Water Strider (Fam. Gerridae)
  • xkulu:cha:án (Pt. (Ch. skuluncha:án)) —Mexican Honeypot Ant (Myrmecocystus mexicanus)
  • xku’pú:’ —small Crayfish (Fam. Astacidae, possibly Procambarus spp.)
  • xkú’ti’ —White-Nosed Coatimundi (Nasua narica), a major crop pest, often hunted for food
  • xó’he’ —1) Slug (Class Gastropoda); 2) Pt. Snail, Slug (Class Gastropoda)
  • xpiróh (Ch.) —species of Oriole (Icterus spp.), known for eating bees, smaller than xwáya’ la:xáx
  • xpi’pi’lé:h —Butterfly (Ord. Lepidoptera)
  • xta:n —Opossum (Didelphis spp.)
  • xtalanhá:’n —unidentified spcies of bottom-feeding fish, clings to rocks
  • xtawá:’ —Kinkajou (Potos flavus)
  • xtawí’ —Crested Guan (Penelope purpurascens)
  • xti’láj —Stinkbug (Fam. Pentatomidae spp.), flat green insect that releases a foul-smelling liquid which causes blisters
  • xtí’ni’ —Yellow Fly (Diachlorus ferrugatus (Fabricius)), species of biting fly
  • xto’hón —Horse Fly (Fam. Tabanidae)
  • xto’honu:lú:wa’ —fly larva that burrows under the skin of animals (possibly the larva of the New World Screwworm Fly Cochliomyia hominivorax)
  • xtú’ki’ —medium-sized brown Grasshopper (Subord. Caleifera), said to eat clothing
  • xu:lh (Ch.) —unidentified species of large fish
  • xuj —Mosquito (Fam. Culicidae)
  • xumpé:pi’ —Cockroach (Subord. Blattodea)
  • xúmpi’ (Pt. (Ch. lhtu’ku:’xtá:n)) —Mexican Porcupine (Coendou mexicanus)
  • xwa’ya:skí:’ti’ —Kingfisher (Fam. Alcedinidae)
  • xwa’ya:tzí:’ya’ (Ch.) —grey variety of Rat Snake (Elaphe spp.)
  • xwá’ya’ la:xáx —Yellow-tailed Oriole (Icterus mesomelas)
  • xwá’ya’ ta’sú’n (Ch.) —Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata)
  • x’a:mám (Pt.) —edible Grasshopper (Subord. Caelifera) that lives on corn
  • x’erux’éru’ —Masked Tityra (Tityra semifasciata)
  • x’e’hé:n —Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncas)
  • x’o:lúlu’ —unidentified species of large green lizard
  • x’onunhó:’ —unidentified blood-sucking arthropod that lives in houses, lays eggs in clothing
  • x’oyutlú:wa’ —Ringneck Coffee Snake (Ninia diademata)