Green lush canopies and blue shimmering waters are seen as your flight gets closer to its destination where your Belize holiday will commence. Exciting isn’t it?
Belize is home to as Lonely Planet puts it, “abounding with opportunities to experience nature, the Central American country has 17 national parks, three nature reserve, five natural monuments, seven wildlife sanctuaries, 16 forest reserves, eight marine reserves, seven bird sanctuaries and various private reserves.”
Which in other words means that choosing Belize as your next eco destination means exploring a country where more than 70% is forested, discovering its diverse Biodiversity is possible, and enjoying its many eco-friendly accommodations is guaranteed.
Whether you head on exciting Belize tours or book an eco-resort, you will surely see or hear at least one of these eight fury or feathery residents.
Jaguars
Jaguars, or as they are known to the Yucatec Mayas, Balaam made it to the top of the list! These big cats maintain a permanent residence in Belize from the Northernmost District of Corozal to the Southernmost locations.
Sightings are possible, especially when venturing into the deep inland areas, particularly at Belize’s Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, a nature reserve designated as the world’s only Jaguar preserve!
Yucatan Black Howler Monkey
Unlike their four-legged illusive counterparts, these native species are observed at Nature reserves and eco-lodges like The Lodge At Chaa Creek.
Their mighty howl can be heard in the mornings and evenings up to 3 miles or 4.7 kilometres away which surprises most people since these loud creatures only measure up to 60 to 65 centimetres (males.)
Scarlet Macaw
What is bright yellow, vibrant red, and bright blue with a wingspan of 3.3ft? Not an aircraft! We are talking about the bird representing the Sun God in indigenous cultures such as Mayan, Inca, and Aztec, the stunning Scarlet Macaw.
The Scarlet Macaw is a bird species native to Central and South America. In Belize, they are seen at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and at Red Bank during one of the largest gatherings in December and March.
Keel-Billed Toucans
Bright yellow chest, sturdy beak, and a loud croaking sound can only indicate the presence of Belize’s National Bird, the Keel Billed Toucan.
This royal bird can be seen perched on tall trees in Belize’s rural areas and is known to be a social species that hangs out in flocks of up to 22 individuals. Imagine! Take a chance of spotting these beauties while on A Birding Tour.
Baird’s Tapir
Or Mountain Cows, as they are locally known in Belize, are Central America’s largest animal relatives of horses, donkeys, zebras, and rhinoceroses.
In Belize, these mammals roamed freely in various national parks. Here they can peacefully walk and even enjoy their favourite leisure activity swimming at the many freshwater holes in inland Belize.
Spider Monkey
Spider Monkeys are one of the two types of monkeys found in Belize; they earn their name from their uncanny ability to stretch out like a spider in the forest’s canopy, high up in the treetops.
TIP: You can spot them at Archaeological Sites, where they maintain permanent residency, taking advantage of these protected areas where they can live unharmed.
Kinkajou (kink a joo)
The locals call this creature a “night walker” because of their night-time tendencies. They live nestled in the canopies, where they remained safe and have easier accessibility to their meals.
Jaguarundi
Jaguarundis form part of the big cat family in Belize; they are relatives to jaguars, ocelots, and margay; however, do not be fooled.
These cats are much smaller; they strongly resemble house cats weighing around 8 to 20 pounds with round ears and short legs.
Where you can see them
If you did not spot these wild creatures during your stay at an eco-resort or your tours, there is one place to see them all. The Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Centre is Belize’s only zoo and is coined as “the best little Zoo in the world,” home to more than 200 animals and over 45 native species.
And remember, no Belize jungle vacation is complete without elusive sightings! Let us help book your stay contact us at [email protected] and let the planing begin.