Mammals are a group of animals with
backbones, bodies covered by hair, nurse their young with milk, and
have a unique jaw articulation. Mammals are also the group of animals
to which humans belong.
Belize has approximately 145 mammal species
living within its boundaries. Mammals exist within all the different
habitats of Belize, from the manatee and dolphins of the coastal zone,
to the 5 different species of wildcat which live deep within the
rainforests of the Maya Mountains.
The rainforest mammals of Belize tend to be
very secretive and mostly nocturnal. This makes them extremely
difficult to see. They usually see, hear, smell, or feel you long
before you them. Rainforest mammals do not stand out in the open for
easy viewing, but instead climb through the canopy or scurry over the
forest floor well ahead of you. That is one reason the Belize Zoo is
such a special place. Here you can see many of the rainforest species
of Belize easily.
A visit to the zoo is the best way to get an
introduction to the animals of Belize, and to understand why it is
important to protect the habitats that sustain them. We hope this
website will be the next best thing to visiting us in person.
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