The northernmost extension of the Veracruz moist forests occurs in the El Cielo Biosphere and the Sierra de Tamaulipas at a latitude of about 23° 20′ degrees north.

[2] The canopy of this ecoregion is characterized by trees reaching a height of up to 30 m (98 ft), such as Mayan breadnut (Brosimum alicastrum), sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), rosadillo (Celtis monoica), Bursera simaruba, Dendropanax arboreus, and Sideroxylon capiri.

The southern parts of the ecoregion feature mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), Manilkara zapota, Bernoullia flammea, and Astronium graveolens.

Spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), the northernmost representative of the New World primates range into this region, although it is an endangered species and not common.

Among the carnivores are the kinkajou (Potos flavus), mustelids such as tayra (Eira barbara) and greater grison (Galictis vittata), and five cat species including jaguarondi (Herpailurus yaguarondi), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), margay (Leopardus wiedii), Puma (Puma concolor) and jaguar (Panthera onca).

[2] A few other species occurring in this region of rich avifauna include the thicket tinamou (Crypturellus cinnamomeus), bare-throated tiger heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum), boat-billed heron (Cochlearius cochlearius), plumbeous kite (Ictinia plumbea), collared forest falcon (Micrastur semitorquatus), bat falcon (Falco rufigularis), great curassow (Crax rubra), green parakeet (Psittacara holochlorus), Aztec parakeet (Eupsittula astec), yellow-headed amazon (Amazona oratrix), squirrel cuckoo (Piaya cayana), mottled owl (Strix virgata), northern potoo (Nyctibius jamaicensis), Lesson's motmot (Momotus lessonii), Amazon kingfisher (Chloroceryle amazona), lineated woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus), pale-billed woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis), ivory-billed woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus flavigaster), boat-billed flycatcher (Megarynchus pitangua), Tamaulipas crow (Corvus imparatus), scrub euphonia (Euphonia affinis), and yellow-throated euphonia (Euphonia hirundinacea).

[7] The distribution of the southern subspecies of the black-spotted newt (Notophthalmus meridionalis kallerti) nearly matches that of the Veracruz moist forests region.

[7][9] The veined treefrog (Trachycephalus typhonius) is a large species that produces sticky, mucous, skin secretions, presumed to deter desiccation in the dry season, as well as being a toxin to predators.

[11] Many of the streams and rivers of this region are spring fed by karstic aquifers, providing consistent and relatively thermally stable water compared to other basins sourced largely by precipitation.

[10] The karstic environment of the Sierra Madre Oriental produces many caves and subterranean waterways that ultimately surface near the base of the mountains in the west of this region.