Use of artificial drinking containers by mammals in a semi-arid area of Central Veracruz, Mexico

Wild mammals using artificial waterholes

Abstract

In arid and semi-arid environments, water scarcity is a constant challenge faced by wild vertebrates. To mitigate this, the strategy of installing artificial waterholes has been used. We hypothesize that wild mammals visit the artificial waterholes more frequently in the warmer than in the colder months in the Valle de Perote. The main goal of this study is registered mammals’ species that use artificial drinking containers in xerophytic scrubland within semi-arid zone at center of Veracruz, Mexico. Between April and July, October and November 2025, 12 artificial water containers were installed with a camera trap to record the date, time, number of occurrences, sighting coordinates and species of mammal individuals that drank water. Subsequently, the Photograph Visit Index (PVI) was calculated. Seven species belonging to six families and three orders of mammals were photographed. The species with the highest number of records was Mephitis macroura (PVI = 4.44). May and October were the months with the most species recorded by the camera traps. The installation of artificial water containers throughout warmest months can be a fundamental strategy for wild fauna maintenance, which could be useful as a platform for the conservation of these vertebrates in the Perote Valley, a site where water scarcity prevails.