Wildlife in Belize

By Dustin Hart

Though Belize is a very small country, it has captivated an amazing variety of wildlife habitat. Approximately 145 species of mammals and 139 species of reptiles and amphibians have so far been identified in Belize, including over 56 species of snakes. Over 500 species of birds have made Belize their home, and thriving in many distinct habitats.

Wildlife in Belize is simply marvelous. The savannahs and lowlands are home to rare waterfowls, and the forests provide a refuge to tapirs, pumas and numerous tropical birds, while the mountains give the elusive jaguars, and the big cats' armful hiding grounds.

The Big Cats

There are five native species of big cats mainly found here in Belize. The elusive jaguar is what everyone wants to see, but only a few are able to witness. Once commonly found throughout this land, jaguars are now rare and mostly only found in parts of large protected reserves.

Jaguar - - - Felis onca coati

Jaguars are rarely seen in daylight, but occasionally you may find one on a cliff or log enjoying sunshine. This Central American carnivore is a very good swimmer, and can cross over lakes, rivers and straits with ease. They favor damp sites like streambeds in gallery forests, where their foot-prints often reveal the presence.

Jaguars prefer to take peccaries as prey, however even monkeys, agoutis, deer, birds, fish, lizards, turtles and other animals form part of their diet. Carrions left by receding waters reveal them feeding on alligators, iguanas and also dead fish. They seem not to avoid the scent of man, but attacks on humans are unheard of and rare.

Fur hunters and deforestation however have reduced them to a few hundred in Central America's and Brazil's thickest rainforests. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary as the only designated jaguar preserve in the world is a prize for Belize, and has put wonderful efforts for the preservation of this wild-cat.

Mountain Lion - - - Felis concolor majensis

They are also called cougars, panthers, catamounts, and in Belize pumas. These are the largest wild-cats found in Central America, and these solitary animals avoid humans if they can. Primarily they feed on deer, but also feed on porcupines, raccoons, birds, small mammals, foxes, mice and grass They are very good climbers and can almost leap up to 20 feet from a standstill. They can also jump down from a 60 feet height, and delight.

A single male lion maintains a home territory of about 175 square miles. Preferring wild areas frequented by deer, one lion would consume about one deer per week. A lion covers the remains of the prey and may return to eat until the meat begins to turn. So, don't hang around if you ever come across his kills, he may just be somewhere around.

Heavy if this may sound, an adult mountain lion can easily weigh up to 200 pounds.

Ocelot - - - Felis p. pardalis

This is the most commonly seen of all cats in Belize. They are nocturnal and diurnal, and abundantly found in all tropical forests. They mainly feed on the ground, and rarely climb trees, although they too are excellent climbers.

Normally they are found to be hunting among open trails at night, and relax within the thick bush during daytime. They are found throughout Belize in variety of habitats, from dry scrub to dense forests, Ocelots are all around.

They feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. They are commonly called 'Tiger Cats' here, in Belize.

Jaguarundi - - - Felis yagouaroundi fossata

A native of Central America, and the northern and central countries of South America, all the way to Argentina, the jaguarondis live in dense shrubbery and thickets, and on the edge of forests where there is relative safety.

They mostly live on ground, but are expert climbers as well. They are mostly active at night, but also move around the day, mostly to quench their thirsts during mid day.

The jaguarondi is a small cat with a long tail, short limbs and a slender body. The fur is short and smooth, and they have small round ears. They come in black, grey, brown or fox-red, while the newborns have spots on their coat. They primarily feed on rats, mice, birds and rabbits.

Margay - - - Felis wiedii yucatanica

The margay is also known as 'The Long Tailed Spotted Cat' looks very much like the ocelot. The body is however smaller, and with longer legs and tail.

They live exclusively in forested areas, and are the most accomplished climbers amongst all other fellow cats. They are very comfortable on trees and branches, and can move like monkeys even on tree tops.

Margays hunt almost exclusively at night and prey on birds, small monkeys, tree frogs and insects found in the habitat.

Others in the Wild

When these cats are able to thrive in this habitat, it simply means that there is abundance of other supporting wildlife, to enable them to live and grow at the same time.

There are 56 species of snakes, 15 types of other carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, varieties of bird species, and plenty of bats. Wildlife in Belize is undisturbed and flourishing, thanks to the eco-friendly policies adopted by the Belizean government.

All nature is converging onto Belize, making this a wonderful space worth experiencing.

Sure, Belize is a wonderland.

Dustin Hart is not a quintessential writer - rather he is a back-packer who lives off his ultra-light folding bike. He lives (or tries to live) in the state of Washington - with his dog Toobs. He recently caught up with Larry Schneider of Eco Holdings Limited in relation to the eco-friendly tourism & real estate in Belize.

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