The Animals of The Belize Zoo
Magnificent Mammals
Belize has over 125 species of mammals living within its boundaries. They exist within all the different wild habitats, from the manatee and dolphins of the marine realm, to the five species of wildcats that prowl our forests and savannas.
Did you know? Bats make up the majority of our mammals with over 80 species recorded in Belize!
The wild mammals of Belize tend to be very secretive, and mostly nocturnal. This makes them extremely difficult to see. They usually see, hear, or smell you long before you know they are near by. Forest dwelling 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.
At The Belize Zoo you can more easily see many of the country’s magnificent mammals in a natural setting; there are almost 20 species represented here. You can see Belize’s elusive and endangered National Animal, the Central American tapir, up close. As you walk around the Zoo you will see Yucatan spider monkeys, white-tailed deer, coatimundis, white-lipped peccaries, and Belize’s five wildcat species. Ever heard of a jaguarundi before? How about a margay? You can even opt for a unique experience with a jaguar.
In Numbers
Feathered Friends
Belize boats almost 600 species of birds. This includes both resident and migratory species. Birds thrive in all of Belize’s habitats. Wading birds congregate along the coastline and inner lagoons. The grasslands and savannas provide seeds for the many finches and sparrows, and hunting grounds for keen-eyed falcons and hawks. Tall emergent trees provide nesting sites for massive birds such as the harpy eagle and Jabiru stork. In our tropical forests there is an astonishing diversity of birds, such as parrots, toucans, mot mots and others.
Watching birds in the tropical forests of Belize can be difficult at times, but extremely rewarding for birders. The thick vegetation, and the typical behavior of quick, seemingly random movements of many forest birds, make them often difficult to see. Many birds also live in the upper canopy of the forest, making it a strain to be constantly looking upward. Often times we hear but do not get to see them. However, early morning and late afternoon are excellent times to bird watch, as most bird species are feeding or moving to new locations during these times.
The Belize Zoo is home to a broad cross-section of Belize’s bird biodiversity, from scarlet macaws, to spectacled owls, to harpy eagles. We care for 17 avian species in total.
Apart from birds in enclosed habitats, the Zoo grounds is usually teeming with wild birds that come and go as they please. Almost 280 birds have been reported through checklists submitted on eBird.
Excellent Ectotherms
To date there are approximately 135 species of reptiles and amphibians recorded in Belize, with 62 of those being snakes!
Reptiles are ectothermic animals with backbones that covered with specialized skin called scales or scutes. They lay shelled eggs similar to birds, or keep the eggs inside their bodies till they hatch. Reptiles in Belize are generally represented by turtles, iguanas, crocodiles, snakes and lizards. They can be found in all habitats, from the soil and leaf litter of the forest floor, to the upper canopy of the rainforest, and the mangrove forests of the coastline and cayes of Belize.
The Belize Zoo supports a display of the more common snakes of Belize including the imperial boa, tropical ratsnake, and the infamous Fer-de-lance. The boa is a core part of snake education and empathy efforts we conduct at the Zoo.
The Belize Zoo is also home to two species of crocodiles, and a variety of freshwater turtles, including the Critically Endangered Hicatee (Central American River Turtle).
Amphibians are ectothermic, back-boned animals that have smooth, thin skin and require water to keep their bodies moist. They can be found under rocks and leaf litter in the forest, alongside streams, and near ponds and waterlogged savannas; This group is best represented by frogs and toads in Belize.
While The Belize Zoo does not have displays set up specifically for amphibians, red-eyed treefrogs, veined treefrogs, and Gulf Coast toads are among the commonly seen species on the grounds, particularly during a nocturnal tour of the Zoo.
