Wildlife of
Belize

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

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

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.

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located off the northeastern coast of Belize, is a rich reservoir of coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds. It is an excellent place to find sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, lobsters, seahorses, and marine fish. Shark Ray Alley has a very high concentration of nurse sharks and rays.
• The Great Blue Hole, located well to the east of Belize City, is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the world. It also produces great aerial photography.
• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Stann Creek District of south-central Belize, was established in 1984 to protect the jungles and watersheds along the slopes of the Maya Mountains. Outside of zoos, it is considered to be one of the premier destinations for jaguar sightings in the world.
• Guanacaste National Park is located in the central Cayo District, about 50 miles to the west of Belize City. More than a hundred aerial bird species have been observed in the park, including kingfishers, woodpeckers, warblers, motmots, and the black-faced ant thrush. Visitors can also find the white-tailed deer, armadillo, kinkajou, and other wild mammals.
• Laughing Bird Caye is an island located off the southeastern coast. It is part of the Belize Barrier Reef and a larger UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Finally, the Community Baboon Sanctuary, located in the Belize District, is one of the best places outside zoos to find black howler monkeys.

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

• 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 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!