Animals In Belize

Updated: March 7, 2023
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Below you can find a complete list of Belizean animals. We currently track 263 animals in Belize and are adding more every day!

Belize is a small Central American country with a rich concentration of wildlife. Before the arrival of Europeans, it was once a part of the Maya Civilization. It later gained independence in 1981 from the United Kingdom. Situated against the Caribbean Sea, the country shares a border with Mexico and Guatemala to the north and west. The land is dominated by mountains, swamps, and tropical jungle ecosystems. It’s also known for the spectacular coral reef system just off the coast.

The Official National (State) Animal of Belize

Baird’s tapir

The national animal of Belize is Baird’s Tapir.

©Silvia.cozzi/Shutterstock.com

The national animal of Belize is Baird’s tapir. Also the largest animal of the country (see below), the tapir is also known as the mountain cow. They are considered a living fossil because there body shape has not evolved much over the last 35 million years. Currently endangered, they are listed as a protected species in Belize. Tapirs are an important part of the rainforest ecosystem and are considered essential to the area.

The national bird is the keel-billed toucan, one of the most iconic avian species of the Neotropics, only occurring in this part of the world. This bright bird has diversity, strength, beauty and a strong presence in the rainforest which is why it earned its symbol as the national bird.

Where To Find The Top Wild Animals In Belize

The great blue hole

©iStock.com/Lomingen

Belize has established dozens of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and forest reserves throughout the country. These are the best places to find wildlife outside of zoos.

The Great Blue hole is a massive marine sinkhole located off the coast of Belize and is one of the most popular tourist attractions. WIth a depth of more than 300 feet and an extensive cave system, only experience divers are permitted inside, however, all are welcome at the surface. This hole has incredible biodiversity and is home to various species of sharks, including hammerheads, nurse, black tip, Caribbean reef and bull sharks.

The Most Dangerous Animals In Belize Today

  • Maya Coral Snakes – Sporting a red body and alternating black and yellow bands, this species is very conspicuous and best avoided. When frightened, it can inject potentially deadly venom into its victims. Fortunately, this species is rarely seen and usually slinks away at the first sign of contact with people. Their short fangs may also have difficulty penetrating clothing.
  • Fer-de-Lance – Large, aggressive, and dangerous, this venomous pit viper can be identified by the broad, flattened head and the dark triangle patterns surrounded by lighter edges. Once injected, the venom can easily disrupt the cardiac system and cause bleeding, swelling, and necrosis. If left untreated, the affected limb may need to be amputated, and death can occur in a small number of cases.
  • Poison Dart Frogs – These small, inconspicuous frogs may harbor some of the most potent toxins on the planet. When threatened, they can secrete the toxin directly through their skin and infect their victims. Their bright coloration is usually a signal to predators that they should not be trifled with. Many dart frogs acquire poison from the foods they consume.
  • American Crocodiles – Native to rivers, coasts, swamps, mangroves, and other small bodies of water, the American crocodile will sometimes attack people who wander in its territory, but despite their fearsome reputation, actual fatalities are very rare.

Poison dart frogs are not only considered one of the most toxic species on the Earth but they are also the most brightly colored frogs in the world. Each frog has a different color that is a warning sign to predators not to eat them, the more colorful, the more toxic. It is believed that they get their poison from some of the insects that they ingest, most likely ants and centipedes. Because they do not inject their toxins, they are considered poisonous, not venomous.

Endangered Animals In Belize

Baboon Teeth- Black Howler

The Guatemalan Black Howler monkey has been endangered since 2003.

©iStock.com/andyjkramer

  • Guatemalan Black Howler – Clad in all-black fur, the howler is among the largest species of the New World monkeys in the region. Famous for its loud howling noise, this species has become endangered from the combined effects of deforestation, hunting, and poaching for the pet trade.
  • Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey – Easily identified by the long, black-colored limbs, the Yucatan spider monkey is a unique subspecies that inhabits Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It requires so much territory to survive that the destruction of the jungles has had a devastating impact on its numbers. It is now in danger of becoming extinct.
  • Baird’s Tapir – Known locally as a mountain cow, the tapirs are unusual-looking hoofed mammals with a short prehensile trunk on their nose. Hunting and habitat loss have now made it endangered throughout Central and South America.
  • West Indian Manatee – The entire eastern Central American coast is home to a unique subspecies called the Caribbean or Antillean manatee. It is in danger of becoming extinct from habitat loss and illegal hunting.
  • Central American River Turtle – This smooth-shelled river turtle is the only living member of its family. After rampant hunting and exploitation, it is now on the verge of becoming extinct. A conservation program begun in 2011 has focused on repopulating wild populations by raising the turtle in captivity.
  • Worm Salamanders – Belize contains a few species of lungless and partly fossorial salamanders. Fossorial means that they burrow and live underground. They have unique adaptations to facilitate this fossorial lifestyle.

The Guatemalan Black Howler monkey, also known as the Yucatan howler monkey, has seen its numbers decline by more than 60 percent due to disease, hunting and loss of habitat. It has been listed as an endangered species since 2003.

The Rarest Animal In Belize

The scarlet macaw is one of several rare species that are native to Belize.

©iStock.com/sduben

The scarlet macaw is not only one of the rarest animals but is also one of the largest avian animals in Belize. There are an estimated 250 macaws residing in the rainforests of Belize. They are normally 35 inches, from head to tail feathers, and weigh about 2 pounds. Because of loss of habitat and illegal parrot trading, their numbers have suffered, in some cases leading to local extinction.

The Largest Animal In Belize

The largest animal in Belize is also the country’s national animal, the Baird’s Tapir. They weigh between 300 to 500 pounds, can grow up to 6 feet long, and have an average lifespan of up to 22 years. Their closest relative is the rhinocerous and the horse. Vegeterian eaters, they like to snack on leaves, grass, fruits, aquatic vegetation, corn and various other crops. They may not look like it, but they are excellent swimmers and climbers too!

Belizean Animals

Acadian Flycatcher

Their nests are sloppily held together and have an abandoned appearance

Admiral Butterfly

Stunningly beautiful wings

Agouti

The agouti is one of the only animals that can crack open Brazil nut pods!

Amazon Parrot

These parrots can be trained to be "talking birds" that mimic human speech

American Eel

Don't eat raw eel! Their blood is poisonous to humans when consumed raw.

Anole Lizard

There are just under 400 species, several of which change color.

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Anteater

Has the longest tongue of any animal in relation to its body size!

Armadillo

Can curl into a hard, protective ball!

Armyworm

They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Barn Swallow

Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.

Basilisk Lizard

Can run/walk on water.

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Bear

There are 8 different species!

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs feed for 4-12 minutes.

Bee

Rock paintings of bees date back 15,000 years

Beetle

There are more than 350,000 different species

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Biscuit Beetle

The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Blind Snake

The blind snake is often mistaken for a worm.

Blue grosbeak

Blue grosbeak parents take off the head, legs and wings of an insect before feeding it to their baby.

Blue Tanager (Blue-Grey Tanager)

They travel and forage in pairs or groups

Blue Tang

One of the most colorful members of the genus Acanthurus

Bobcat

About double the size of a domestic cat!

Booby

Seabirds found across the South Pacific!

Brahminy Blindsnake

These snakes have been introduced to all continents, except Antarctica!

Brazilian Treehopper

“Mild-Mannered Minimonsters”

Brown Dog Tick

Can live its entire life indoors

Brown Headed Cowbird

Males are generally monogamous during mating season and will protect the female from other males. However, females tend to venture from their partners and mate with other males.

Burrowing Owl

The burrowing owl lives in underground burrows

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 17,500 species!

Caecilian

Some species' babies use their hooked or scraper-like teeth to peel off and eat their mother's skin

Caiman

Can grow to up 6 meters long!

Camel Cricket

The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.

Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!

Cat

May have been domesticated up to 10,000 years ago.

Caterpillar

The larvae of a moth or butterfly!

Catfish

There are nearly 3,000 different species!

Cedar Waxwing

Their feathers have red, waxy tips that can be hard to identify unless you’re up close.

Centipede

There are about 3,000 documented species!

Checkered Garter Snake

It has the ability to expel a stinky liquid from its body as a way to make predators (and humans) retreat!

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

They inhabit regrowing forests

Chicken

First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Codling Moth

Pupae are able to undergo diapause to survive poor fruit yield years and winter.

Collared Peccary

Form bands of up to 12 individuals!

Common Furniture Beetle

The common furniture beetle feeds exclusively on wood

Common House Spider

House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.

Common Yellowthroat

The Common Yellowthroat stays close to the ground and uses stealth to survive!

Coral Snake

There are over 80 species of coral snake worldwide.

Cormorant

They can fly 35 mph and dive 150 feet below water.

Cow

There are nearly 1.5 billion worldwide!

Crab

There are 93 different crab groups

Crab Spider

Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings

Cricket

Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together

Crocodile

Have changed little in 200 million years!

Crocodylomorph

Crocodylomorphs include extinct ancient species as well as 26 living species today.

Crow

A group of these birds is called a Murder.

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Dog Tick

Dog ticks feed on dogs and other mammals

Donkey

First domesticated 5,000 years ago!

Dragonfly

It's larvae are carnivorous!

Dubia Cockroach

The most popular species of feeder roach

Duck

Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Dung Beetle

The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight

Dusky Shark

The Dusky Shark sometimes eats trash discarded by humans.

Dwarf Boa

Some species can change color from dark to light, and back again.

Earthworm

They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Eastern Meadowlark

They can live up to 9 years.

Eastern Racer

Fast and Furious!

Eel

Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!

Emerald Toucanet

Emerald Toucanets spend their lives high in the canopy of tall forests, almost never coming to the ground!

Eyelash Viper

While the eyelash viper can be a pet, be cautious – they are extremely venomous!

False Widow Spider

False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders

Fiddler Crab

The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.

Firefly

The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world

Flamingo

Sleeps on just one leg!

Flea

Adult fleas can jump up to 7 inches in the air

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Flying Squirrel

Can glide up to 90 meters!

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world

Fulvous Whistling Duck

They build a ramp from their nest, which leads to a nearby water source

Gar

Can grow to more than 3m long!

Gecko

There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

German Cockroach

The most common type of urban roach

Glowworm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Gnat

Males form large mating swarms at dusk

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Gray Catbird

Their songs have cat-like qualities and can mimic other birds and animals, like tree frogs.

Gray Fox

The gray fox has retractable claws and a rotating wrist that allow it to climb trees with some proficiency

Great Blue Heron

Their wingspan is larger than an eagle’s; both males and females help hatch the eggs; rich in symbolism

Great Crested Flycatcher

This species makes use of some truly unusual nesting material, including snakeskin and garbage

Great Potoo Bird

At night, they make a terrifying low call that sounds like a distressed moan or growl.

Guppy

Also known as the Millionfish!

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 50 mph!

Harpy Eagle

Talon's the size of a grizzly bear's claws!

Harris’s Hawk

Their vision is eight times better than a human's

Hawk Moth Caterpillar

Many hawk moth caterpillars eat toxins from plants, but don’t sequester them the way milkweed butterflies do. Most toxins are excreted.

Hepatic Tanager (Red Tanager)

Parents and their young sing sweetly to each other

Hercules Beetle

This dynastine scarab beetle makes a weird huffing sound when it’s disturbed.

Herring Gull

They are loud, spirited birds with raucous cries that sound like bursts of laughter.

Honey Bee

There are only 8 recognized species!

Horse

Has evolved over 50 million years!

Horsefly

Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.

House wren

The wren’s epithet, aedon, comes from a Greek queen who accidentally killed her only son. She was actually aiming for her nephew, and Zeus took pity on her and turned her into a nightingale.

Housefly

The fly has no teeth

Howler Monkey

Spends 80% of it's time resting!

Human

Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Hummingbird

Beat their wings up to 80 times per second!

Huntsman Spider

Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.

Ibis

Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!

Iguana

Uses visual signals to communicate!

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Jabiru

They form lifelong pair bonds and live in groups near water sources.

Jacana

The jacana has the ability to swim underwater

Jack Crevalle

One of the biggest species in the Caranx genus

Jaguar

The largest feline on the American continent!

Jumping Spider

Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies

Keel-Billed Toucan

It's beak can reach nearly 20 cm long!

Kentucky Warbler

The Kentucky Warbler appears to wear bright yellow cat-eye glasses!

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Kinkajou

The kinkajou is a nimble forest-dwelling mammal of Central and South America.

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Leech

Has 10 pairs of eyes!

Leopard Frog

They can jump up to three feet

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Locust

Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.

Lone Star Tick

Only females have the ‘lone star’ marking

Macaw

The largest species of parrot in the world!

MacGillivray’s Warbler

The complicated story of how MacGillivray’s Warblers got their name involves three ornithologists, a physician and a compromise.

Maggot

Will only live in wet areas

Magnolia Warbler

They line their nests with fungi strands

Margay

Margays are one of the world’s most highly adapted cat species for climbing trees!

Marine Toad

Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!

Mayan Cichlid

Mayan cichlids live longer in captivity than they do in the wild.

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

Mealybug

They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Mockingbird

Mockingbirds are incredible mimics that can learn hundreds of songs!

Mole

Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!

Mole Cricket

Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.

Molly

Known for their calm and peaceful nature!

Monarch Butterfly

During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Monkey

There are around 260 known species!

Moonglow Boa

Moonglow boas are the result of mixing three genetic traits.

Moorhen

Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!

Morpho Butterfly

Collectors prize them for their bright wings

Mosquito

Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mountain Lion

Has no real natural predators!

Mourning Dove

It is almost always the male who makes the famous sad sound, which is a wooing call

Mourning Warbler

The Mourning Warbler was named for its gray head, which resembles a mourning veil!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

Muscovy Duck

Unlike most duck species, the Muscovy is silent and only makes noise when excited or threatened.

Nematode

Nematodes range in size from 1/10 of an inch to 28 feet long

No See Ums

There are more than 5,000 species.

Northern Cardinal

Males are a bright red color, also called "cardinal red"

Northern Harrier

They can reach speeds of 25 Mph but prefer to soar low and slow.

Northern Parula

They live in coffee and citrus plantations during the winter

Northern Potoo

You can find them near golf courses in urban areas

Ocellated Turkey

These birds are timid and hard to spot, but their noisy gobbles give them away.

Ocelot

Also known as the Painted Leopard!

Orange-Crowned Warbler

Often mistaken for the Tennessee Warblers, which are equally dull.

Orb Weaver

Females are about four times the size of males

Osprey

They reuse nesting sites for 70 years!

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

Owl

The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees

Panther

Prefers to hunt at night than during the day!

Parrot

Can live for up to 100 years!

Parrot Snake

The parrot snake shows off with bright green and bronze colors that cover its entire body.

Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth

Pheasant

Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Pigeon

They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.

Pit Viper

Pit vipers's fangs fold up into their mouths when they don't need them.

Poison Dart Frog

Inhabits the jungles of Central and South America!

Pompano Fish

They are bottom-feeders

Porcupine

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Praying Mantis

The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.

Puma

Has longer back legs than front legs!

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Quetzal

The tail feathers of the male can be 1m long!

Raccoon

Known to wash their food before eating it!

Racer Snake

The racer snake can speed away at up to 3.5 miles per hour

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

Rat Snakes

Rat snakes are constrictors from the Colubridae family of snakes.

Rattlesnake

Rattlesnakes may have evolved their rattle to warn bison away from them.

River Turtle

Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!

Rodents

The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, likes to be in and around bodies of water. Because of this, the Catholic Church in South America decided that it was a fish, and people were allowed to eat it during Lent and First Fridays.

Rooster

Will mate with the entire flock!

Rose-Breasted Grosbeak

This bird is also called cut-throat because the male looks like his throat has been cut and has bled over his breast.

Roseate Spoonbill

The only Spoonbill in the western hemisphere!

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy duck breeding males have bright blue bills!

Saber-Toothed Tiger

Canines up to 7 inches long!

Sable Ferret

Ferrets were used during the Revolutionary War to keep down the rat population.

Salamander

There are more than 700 different species!

Sand Crab

The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail

Scarlet Macaw

Like many parrots, the scarlet macaw is capable of vocal mimicry.

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Scissor-tailed flycatchers are known for their dramatically long tails!

Scorpion

There are around 2,000 known species!

Sea Eagle

The sea eagle tends to mate for life with a single partner

Seahorse

Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!

Sharp-Shinned Hawk

In captivity, sharp-shinned hawks can live up to 13 years. However, in the wild, this number is significantly reduced to 3 years!

Short-Eared Owl

The short-eared owl is one of the most widespread owl species in the world, covering five continents.

Shrew

The spinal column of the shrew Scutisorex somereni is so strong and reinforced that it can support the weight of an adult human.

Shrimp

There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Skink Lizard

Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.

Sloth

It's body temperature is between 30 - 34 degrees!

Slug

They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce

Smallmouth Bass

A fierce fighter!

Smokybrown Cockroach

Has up to 45 eggs per egg case

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 4,000 known species worldwide

Southern Black Racer

These snakes live underground, beneath piles of leaf litter or in thickets, and they are expert swimmers.

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Spider Wasp

They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.

Squirrel

Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Swainson’s Hawk

Their wings form a “V” shape when flying.

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Tarantula Hawk

Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

Thrush

The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.

Tick

They inject hosts with a chemical that stops them from feeling the pain of the bite

Tiger Beetle

The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world

Tortoise

Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Toucan

There are more than 40 different species!

Tree Frog

Found in warmer jungles and forests!

Tree swallow

The tree swallow can make more than a dozen distinct vocalizations

Turkey

Closely related to pheasants and chickens!

Turtles

Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.

Umbrellabird

Migrates up and down the mountains!

Upland Sandpiper

They make jerky movements as they walk through the grass, searching for food.

Vampire Bat

Have a heat sensor on the end of their nose!

Vine Snake

A slender body and elongated snout give the vine snake a regal look.

Vinegaroon

Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted

Vulture

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Wasp

There are around 75,000 recognised species!

Western Kingbird

Western kingbirds have hidden red crown feathers that they can raise when threatened!

Western Tanager

They migrate farther north than any other tanager.

White-Eyed Vireo

During courtship, males put on exciting displays by fluffing their plumage, spreading their tails, and letting out a whining call.

White-Faced Capuchin

One of the world's most intelligent monkeys!

White Ferret / Albino Ferrets

There are two different types of white ferrets!

White-tail deer

White-tail deer are good swimmers

Whitetail Deer

Although deer are herbivores, they will sometimes eat mice and birds when they can catch them.

Willow Flycatcher

These birds live in the understory and are named for their propensity for flitting between willows and shrubs.

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.

Wood Turtle

Temperature determines the sex of turtle eggs

Woodlouse

This animal can roll up into a ball

Woodpecker

There are 200 different species!

Worm

Doesn’t have eyes.

Yellow Bellied Sapsucker

The males are responsible for choosing the nesting tree most of the time. Luckily, cavity nests are often reused for multiple breeding seasons (up to 7 years.)

Yellow Spotted Lizard

Gives birth to live young.

Belizean Animals List

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About the Author

Melissa Bauernfeind was born in NYC and got her degree in Journalism from Boston University. She lived in San Diego for 10 years and is now back in NYC. She loves adventure and traveling the world with her husband but always misses her favorite little man, "P", half Chihuahua/half Jack Russell, all trouble. She got dive-certified so she could dive with the Great White Sharks someday and is hoping to swim with the Orcas as well.

Animals In Belize FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What kind of animals live in Belize?

Belize is home to many unique mammals, including the tapir, peccary, deer, and big cats; it is particularly rich in rodents and bats. In addition, there are potentially as many as 600 species of aerial birds, including macaws and toucans. Turtles, tortoises, snakes, insects, and fish are also found all over the country.

What dangerous animals live in Belize?

Vipers, coral snakes, crocodiles, spiders, and poison dart frogs are among the most dangerous animals in Belize.

What are the most common animals in Belize?

Besides the many species of insects, bats and rodents are probably the most common.

Are there tigers in Belize?

No, tigers are only native to Asia. Belize has cougars, jaguars, ocelots, and margays instead.

What animals live in the Belize barrier reef?

The barrier reef is teeming with sea turtles, manatees, stingrays, sharks, lobsters, seahorses, and all manner of marine fish.