Below are profiles of some of the interesting wildlife and plant life we encounter snorkeling, diving, hiking and paddling in Belize. As our website develops we look forward to expanding this section and introducing you to the fascinating and abundant tropical biology of Belize.

Habitats...

Tropical forests of Belize
Worldwide, tropical rainforests encompass only 7% of the planet yet harbor over 50% of the earth's species. In the mist shrouded Maya Mountains, thrive some of the richest rainforests in Belize and all of Central America. Unlike many countries in the region, Belize has been able to protect almost 65% of its original forest cover. Once you enter the rainforest,toucans, flocks of scarlet macaw and troops of howler monkey may be encountered at anytime and small wonders are everywhere, like delicate orchids which bloom for only a few hours in the year. The phenomonal abundance of biology found in such a small country is a result of a small population and a unique diversity of habitats ranging from mountain pine forest in the west, to mixed pine and oak forests, pine savanah in the north and coastal mangrove forests. Perhaps one of the most exciting aspects of exploring the natural wonders of Belize is that literally in a matter of hours one can travel from coral reefs and sun-bright tropical islands to pristine rainforests teeming with tropical wildlife.

The Barrier Reef & Atolls
The reef system offshore of Belize is a biological gem among the world's tropical marine habitats. This living wall of coral animals extending north and south for hundreds of miles (shielding the coast of Belize from the full force of the sea) is an example of a community of animals that can profoundly change geography. Islands are formed behind the reef crest through wave action and erosion of reef building organisms and in the lagoons, mangroves are able to colonize and thrive in shallow protected waters. Their submerged roots trap sediments which build more land and provide critical habitat for juvenile fish, countless marine invertebrates and many species of birds. From 20 to 30 miles further offshore of the barrier reef lie three atolls, Glovers, Lighthouse and Turneffe. These remote island and coral reef habitats situated on the edge of the deep Caribbean trench are indisputably the richest marine habitats in all of Belize and perhaps the entire Caribbean.

"In addition to taking part in fun, exciting and new experiences, the guides allow ample opportunity for the students to take charge of their own learning. For example, the students were encouraged to use the resources available at each site to read and learn more about the different flora and fauna they were seeing." They became experts on their own different topics and we were able to learn from each other"
-Tony Rino & Lisa Carroll, Teachers, St Peters School

Fauna...

West Indian Manatee
Known in Belize as the "sea cow", the West Indian Manatee is a little-known marine mammal that inhabits the nutrient rich estuaries, coastal regions and the reefs offshore of Belize. Adults grow to 12 feet long and can weigh over 1,000 pounds. Classified in the Order Sirenia, manatees are distantly related to the elephant. Their evolutionary path is thought to have split some 50 million years ago when a related species adapted to a marine environment characterized by shallow seas with extensive underwater sea grass meadows. It is thought that the origins of the fabled mermaid comes from sailors encounters (one suspects after a great deal of time at sea) of the female Manatee which has distinct human-like breasts. Today, manatees are endangered in much of their habitat, and Belize is one of the last strongholds for this marine herbivore.

Baird's Tapir
Known locally as the "mountain cow", the Baird's Tapir is Belize's national animal. It is also the largest mammal to roam the tropical rainforest. It can weigh up to 650 lbs and is closely related to the horse and hippopotamus. This herbivor spends approximately 90% of its waking hours hunting for food. Its long, flexible upper lip and flat molars are well suited for foraging and swallowing twigs, nuts, and other tough plant tissues found throughout river basins in Belize. The tapir has an excellent sense of smell and hearing, but does not have very good sight. As the tapir is largely nocturnal, it relies more heavily on these two senses.

Queen Angelfish
The queen angelfish is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful fish in the Caribbean basin. Its brilliant blue and yellow color easily separates it from all other western Atlantic angelfish species as well as a dark, ringed spot with blue dots on its forehead that resembles a crown. The queen angelfish can be found from nearshore shallows down to the deepest portion of the reef where the lack of light inhibits coral growth. The adults feed on sponges, tunicates, corals, and algae. They have small protractile mouths that contain slender brush-like teeth in a narrow band. The adults are found in pairs year round, perhaps suggesting a long-term monogamous bond.

Kinkajou
The kinkajou, known as the "night walker" in Belize, is a nocturnal animal which lives among the upper canopy of the tropical forest. They feed mainly on fruit and insects. In the dry season of Belize, they often eat flowers for their nectar.

A relative of the raccoon, the kinkajou is extremely agile and fast, traveling quickly along the tree tops, jumping noisily from tree to tree. The long prehensile tail is used to balance and hold on while traveling among the tree tops. The kinkajou is one of the most commonly seen tropical forest animals. A strong flashlight shined into the canopy will often reveal the kinkajou by its tremendous eyeshine which can be seen from a great distance.

Snowy Egret
The snowy egret is a slender, graceful heron that forages in marshlands. The snowy egret feeds in all the shallow waters of Belize. This bird coils its sinewy neck, ready to spear prey. Prey includes fish, aquatic invertebrates and reptiles. During the drier months, the bird will stalk small mammals, snails and nesting birds.

During the early nineteenth century, the demand for the breeding plumage for woman's hats was widespread. Heavy hunting nearly drove the species to extinction before public demand resulted in laws to protect the bird. Today, pollution and habitat loss has caused their numbers to decline worldwide.

Black Howler Monkey
The Black Howler Monkey, known locally as the "baboon", is the largest monkey in Belize and one of the largest in the Americas. Throughout most of its range, the Howler Monkey is endangered from hunting and habitat destruction. Fortunately, Belize has a healthy population of these loudest of primates.

The Black howler lives in troops of between 4 and 8 members. Each troop has its own territory in which it feeds and lives. The size of the territory depends on the size of the troop, ranging from 3 to 25 acres. Howler monkeys are vegetarians, feeding on flowers, fruits and leaves. Baboons defend this territory from other troops through the use of their voices. The howling is one of the loudest animal sounds in the tropical forest of Belize.

Ocelots
Ocelots are nocturnal and diurnal, feeding mainly on the ground. Found in all tropical forests, rarely does the ocelot climb trees though it is an excellent climber. During the night, they tend to hunt along open trails, while during the day, the stay hidden within the deeper bush. This is the most comely seen of all the cats in Belize.

Ocelots feed on small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. The Belizean name for the ocelot is the same as the margay "tiger cat". The name "ocelot" comes from the Mexican Aztec word "tlalocelot" meaning field tiger. Ocelots appear to be better adapted to habitat disturbance and can live in disturbed forest. But they can be found in a variety of habitats in Belize, from dry scrub to the dense forests.

The ocelot is an endangered species throughout its range from the extreme southern United States to Argentina. The ocelot's fur is very beautiful and has been long sought after for fur coats. Fortunately, the United States banned importation of ocelot pelts in 1972.

Osprey
The osprey is known in Belize as the "billy hawk". The osprey spends its summers along lakes, rivers, seacoasts of U.S., Canada, and Alaska,then travels southward to its winter nesting grounds in South America, Central America, and the southern U.S. This bird is found throughout the world, except in the polar regions.

The osprey are similar in size to eagles, with the females being slightly larger than the males, have a dark-brown upper body, with a spotted / white head, throat and undersides; the back, nape, tail and back of the head are dark brown. A black eye stripe is located behind the eye. Look for the crook in the wing and the black "wrist" mark in flight to differentiate this bird from the Bald Eagle.