Belize Wildlife
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...that Belize wildlife can only continue to reward us if we show respect for the habitat and the inhabitants both animal and human?
So starting on that note, let us begin by learning a little about some of the most common animals in Belize.
Did you know? The jaguar is the third largest of the wild cats? You are more likely to see one in the wild at the world`s only Jaguar Reserve here in Belize. But stay quiet! They are very shy creatures.
The Black Howler Monkey
Did you know this monkey`s howl can be heard over 3 miles away? Can you hear their roar over the jungle canopy? Way in the distance the voices of these groups of primates let out great haunting roars, reminding us of their presence, and the fact that the Belize wildlife has been around longer than we have. A great place to go to see the Howler monkey in the wild is at the Community Baboon Sanctuary at Bermudain Landing, West off Belize City.
Did you know this cute and curious little creature of the raccoon family can fool any hunter? Some people keep them as pets but often pay the consequences.
Baird`s Tapir
Did you know this animal had 4 toes each on it`s front feet, but only 3 toes each on it`s back feet? It looks like a mini elephant with it`s shrunken ears and cropped trunk. A very placid animal. Don`t let the look fool you, this National Animal of Belize is harmless and gentle. It is know by the locals as the "mountain cow".
The Agouti
Did you know this little animal can jump as high as 6ft from a standing position? If you like red squirrels then you`ll love the Agouti which looks and acts like a squirrel but without a tail. It is a small reddish speckled rodent, a guinea pig to be matter-of-fact, that`s hunted for it`s bush meat. Too pretty for me to eat I`m afraid. Belize has a abundance of them all over the country and they probably help make new forest when they forget to eat the seeds and nuts they buried.
Birds of Belize
Did you know that George Price, the then Prime minister of Belize, named the Keel Billed Toucan as the national bird? I have yet to find out why, but nobody has come forward to let me in on it. If you think it`s beak is heavy, then you are mistaken, it is surprisingly light, and he uses this master tool, wielding it with skill and precision when eating nuts and berries and other very important business.
Scarlet Macaw
Did you know that the Scarlet Macaw can live up to 65 years? These beautiful red, yellow, and blue plumaged parrots are viewed as priceless jewels among the Belize wildlife. They have been almost wiped out here and throughout all of Central America. There was a time when it looked hopeful as they began to thrive under the protection of the people of a Mayan village in Red Bank Stann Creek, who were once their hunters but took the role of guardian. But sadly there came a destructive force, the Chalillo dam!
Wood Stork
Did you know that this bird will bring water in it`s bill for it`s chicks on a hot, dry day? Now here`s a beautiful graceful bird of the stork family. Just watching them brings on a calm that`s got to be good for the soul. It spends it`s time wading in and out the mangroves and swampy wet lands. So hear this all you fly-fishermen. This fisherman of the feathered species is the most patient of all, and she doesn`t need any bait for the catch!
Great Blue Heron
Did you know this pretty slate blue bird is the largest heron in North America? Again a slender looking bird full of grace and elegance. Masters at fishing too, you will see them around any body of water such as lakes, marshes, mangroves...
Great Egret
Did you know that the Great Egret nearly became extinct in the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries when there was a mad demand for their beautiful white feathers to adorn hats?
I will always have in my minds eye a picture of this bird as it waded in front of our headlights, in the darkness. There in a shallow pool of water on the road to Placencia it`s slender body stood tall. We had been stuck there for a while, sitting in our 4X4 wondering if there was a road underneath all this water or had we veered off into a river, until our "angel in white" turned up and reassured us. It was such a comforting sight!
Learn about Belize wildlife from the experts at the Belize Zoo.
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