There are lots of cats in Mérida. Some areas have more than others but there are cats everywhere. I’m not sure about the population of mice and rats but I’ve yet to see any (I’m sure they are well hidden). Some of the cats roaming the streets obviously have owners – they have collars and appear well fed. Others look a bit more straggly and look like they are indigent.  

The population of dogs may be less than cats but their presence is more noticeable due to their persistent barking. In many areas it appears that houses without a resident dog(s) are the exception rather than the rule.  Many dogs are locked up alone in a confined space for most of the day and understandably their frustration can be manifested by barking. Mérida is of course extremely hot and smaller dogs deal with the heat far better than larger breeds. Accordingly most dogs are on the small side but some owners insist on having large dogs such as German Shepherds and Huskies which are not well adapted for such a climate. The owners don’t care too much about this.

Another animal found frequently in Mérida is the iguana (Toloc). They are quite timid and well camouflaged so it is possible to accidentally stumble upon one. They mostly reside in among unkempt grassy areas but will  venture onto streets and into houses on occasion. The toloc has many predators including cats and dogs and it’s not unusual to see a toloc with half its tail missing. They make their homes usually underground such as under cracks in sidewalks or drains. Mostly they are harmless but will bite if cornered.