BELIZE ZOO
Reptiles & Amphibians
REPTILES OF BELIZE
Amphibians and reptiles are back-boned animals. Amphibians lack any covering of their skin - fur, feathers or scales. Amphibians include salamanders and frogs. Reptiles are covered by scales. They lay shelled eggs similar to birds, or keep the eggs inside their bodies till they hatch. Reptiles are grouped into turtles, crocodiles, and snakes and lizards.
The total number of reptiles and amphibians in Belize is unknown. New species for the country appear at regular intervals. To date, 139 species have been identified. The reason the total number of species is so tentative, is because of the habitats that reptiles and amphibians are found.
Amphibians have smooth, thin skin and require water to keep their bodies moist. They can be found under rocks, alongside streams, in swamps and marshes - places which are not the most comfortable for humans. Reptiles, with their scaly skin, are not restricted to wet habitats. Snakes and lizards can be found in any mangrove forests of the coastline and Cayes of Belize.
The Belize Zoo supports a small display of the more common snakes of Belize including the most dangerous of Belizean snakes, the Fer-de-lance. The Zoo also makes frequent use of the harmless Boa Constrictor in its many environmental education programs. Humans tend to have an irrational fear of snakes, while in reality, poisonous snakes are not frequently sighted, they tend to be secretive and nocturnal. The Belize Zoo education programs tend to focus on the positive aspects of snakes - they help to keep the population of far more prolific creatures which are harmful to humans, the rats, mice and insects of the tropics.
Reptiles and Amphibians you will see at the Zoo are: Tree Frogs, Iguana, Coral Snake, Crocodile, Boa Constrictor, plus many more.
The total number of reptiles and amphibians in Belize is unknown. New species for the country appear at regular intervals. To date, 139 species have been identified. The reason the total number of species is so tentative, is because of the habitats that reptiles and amphibians are found.
Amphibians have smooth, thin skin and require water to keep their bodies moist. They can be found under rocks, alongside streams, in swamps and marshes - places which are not the most comfortable for humans. Reptiles, with their scaly skin, are not restricted to wet habitats. Snakes and lizards can be found in any mangrove forests of the coastline and Cayes of Belize.
The Belize Zoo supports a small display of the more common snakes of Belize including the most dangerous of Belizean snakes, the Fer-de-lance. The Zoo also makes frequent use of the harmless Boa Constrictor in its many environmental education programs. Humans tend to have an irrational fear of snakes, while in reality, poisonous snakes are not frequently sighted, they tend to be secretive and nocturnal. The Belize Zoo education programs tend to focus on the positive aspects of snakes - they help to keep the population of far more prolific creatures which are harmful to humans, the rats, mice and insects of the tropics.
Reptiles and Amphibians you will see at the Zoo are: Tree Frogs, Iguana, Coral Snake, Crocodile, Boa Constrictor, plus many more.
For those of you who would like to read about your tour prior to taking it, we have provided the following information for you to review. This is an excellent way to help children explore the wonderful world of Belize. Take time to sit down with your children and read to them, what they are about to see. Feel free to download and print these notes provided in the PDF file below. We recommend taking these notes with you on your tour, as they will assist you in reinforcing important point in the minds of your children.
Crocodile
LENGTH: Up to 12 feet
HABITAT: Freshwater river and lakes
DISTRIBUTION: Northern and central coastal Belize
FOOD: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates
The Morelet's Crocodile is a small crocodile, seldom exceeding 10 feet in length. There are reports of individuals reaching 14 feet. These larger animals can be considered dangerous to humans. This crocodile primarily inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers and ponds. The female will build a large nest of twigs and rotting vegetation and lay up to 3 dozen eggs.
The Morelet's Crocodile eats a variety of prey, including aquatic invertebrates, fish, small mammals and birds. These crocodiles are normally shy and timid, though the larger ones should be considered dangerous to humans.
Prior to 1981, the Morelet's Crocodile was hunted heavily in Belize for its hide. At the time of the passing of the Wildlife Protection Act, the number of crocodiles was few. The population has since rebounded and they can be found in most of the lowland interior rivers and ponds.
HABITAT: Freshwater river and lakes
DISTRIBUTION: Northern and central coastal Belize
FOOD: Small mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates
The Morelet's Crocodile is a small crocodile, seldom exceeding 10 feet in length. There are reports of individuals reaching 14 feet. These larger animals can be considered dangerous to humans. This crocodile primarily inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers and ponds. The female will build a large nest of twigs and rotting vegetation and lay up to 3 dozen eggs.
The Morelet's Crocodile eats a variety of prey, including aquatic invertebrates, fish, small mammals and birds. These crocodiles are normally shy and timid, though the larger ones should be considered dangerous to humans.
Prior to 1981, the Morelet's Crocodile was hunted heavily in Belize for its hide. At the time of the passing of the Wildlife Protection Act, the number of crocodiles was few. The population has since rebounded and they can be found in most of the lowland interior rivers and ponds.
Red Eyed Tree Frog
LENGTH: to 3 inches
HABITAT: Lowland tropical forests, arboreal
DISTRIBUTION: Countrywide
FOOD: Small invertebrates
The Red-eyed Tree Frog is a slender, delicate frog with webbed hands and feet. The body is brilliant green with pale blue vertical bars on its side. Like most amphibians, it is dependent on water for most of its life. In the forests of Belize, it minimizes water loss by resting underneath leaves and tucking its limbs up close to its body.
Breeding occurs from October to March, usually near temporary or permanent ponds. The frogs breed while in an embrace called amplexus, the male mounted and locked onto the back of the female. The male then fertilizes the 30-50 pale eggs as the female lays them on a leaf over standing water.
In 5 days, the tadpoles wiggle their way down the leaf to the water below. It then takes the tadpoles 75-80 days to metamorphose into a frog. The adult frog will spend most of the rest of its life in the forest canopy, often hidden among bromeliads.
HABITAT: Lowland tropical forests, arboreal
DISTRIBUTION: Countrywide
FOOD: Small invertebrates
The Red-eyed Tree Frog is a slender, delicate frog with webbed hands and feet. The body is brilliant green with pale blue vertical bars on its side. Like most amphibians, it is dependent on water for most of its life. In the forests of Belize, it minimizes water loss by resting underneath leaves and tucking its limbs up close to its body.
Breeding occurs from October to March, usually near temporary or permanent ponds. The frogs breed while in an embrace called amplexus, the male mounted and locked onto the back of the female. The male then fertilizes the 30-50 pale eggs as the female lays them on a leaf over standing water.
In 5 days, the tadpoles wiggle their way down the leaf to the water below. It then takes the tadpoles 75-80 days to metamorphose into a frog. The adult frog will spend most of the rest of its life in the forest canopy, often hidden among bromeliads.
Iguana
LENGTH: Up to 6 feet
HABITAT: Riverine forests
DISTRIBUTION: Countrywide along rivers and streams
FOOD: Fruit, leaves, invertebrates
The green Iguana, known locally as "bamboo chicken", is the largest lizard in Belize and one of the largest in the world. A full grown male can reach nearly 7 feet, most of it being tail. It is often found perched on a branch overhanging a river, and when threatened will plunge into to the water for safety.
The Iguana diet changes with age. The juvenile often forages on the forest floor, searching for invertebrates such as insects, grubs, worms and snails. The adult is mainly a plant eater, feeding on berries, leaves and fruit. Occasionally it will catch and eat small mammals and nestling birds.
The delicious flesh of the Iguana and the rich eggs are a delicacy in Belize. Prior to protection, the iguana was heavily hunted. Today, there are numerous captive breeding programs spawned by the pilot project at the Belize Zoo.
HABITAT: Riverine forests
DISTRIBUTION: Countrywide along rivers and streams
FOOD: Fruit, leaves, invertebrates
The green Iguana, known locally as "bamboo chicken", is the largest lizard in Belize and one of the largest in the world. A full grown male can reach nearly 7 feet, most of it being tail. It is often found perched on a branch overhanging a river, and when threatened will plunge into to the water for safety.
The Iguana diet changes with age. The juvenile often forages on the forest floor, searching for invertebrates such as insects, grubs, worms and snails. The adult is mainly a plant eater, feeding on berries, leaves and fruit. Occasionally it will catch and eat small mammals and nestling birds.
The delicious flesh of the Iguana and the rich eggs are a delicacy in Belize. Prior to protection, the iguana was heavily hunted. Today, there are numerous captive breeding programs spawned by the pilot project at the Belize Zoo.
Coral Snake
LENGTH: Up to 3 feet
HABITAT: Leaf litter and moist soils
DISTRIBUTION: Southern Hardwood forests
FOOD: Snakes and reptiles
The coral snake, known locally as "bead and coral", prefers the thick leaf litter of the humid southern hardwood forests in Belize.
This coral snake has large red bands with small yellow bands and small black bands. The color is brilliant, with the sequence of red, yellow, and black. The red bands are always in contact with the yellow bands. The maximum length of this snake does not exceed three feet. The fangs of this snake are short and permanently fixed.
The coral snake feeds mostly on other snakes, but will feed on lizards. They have a very strong neurotoxin venom that is very dangerous to humans. This snake is primarily terrestrial or sub-terrestrial, living among the soils of the tropical forest floor. It is primarily nocturnal, but sometimes active at dusk and dawn.
HABITAT: Leaf litter and moist soils
DISTRIBUTION: Southern Hardwood forests
FOOD: Snakes and reptiles
The coral snake, known locally as "bead and coral", prefers the thick leaf litter of the humid southern hardwood forests in Belize.
This coral snake has large red bands with small yellow bands and small black bands. The color is brilliant, with the sequence of red, yellow, and black. The red bands are always in contact with the yellow bands. The maximum length of this snake does not exceed three feet. The fangs of this snake are short and permanently fixed.
The coral snake feeds mostly on other snakes, but will feed on lizards. They have a very strong neurotoxin venom that is very dangerous to humans. This snake is primarily terrestrial or sub-terrestrial, living among the soils of the tropical forest floor. It is primarily nocturnal, but sometimes active at dusk and dawn.
Boa Constrictor
LENGTH: Up to 12 feet
HABITAT: Rainforest, savanna, mangrove swamp
DISTRIBUTION: Countrywide and the offshore Cayes
FOOD: Small mammals, birds, reptiles
The boa constrictor, known as "wowla" in Belize, are found country-wide as well as on some of the offshore cayes. They will easily inhabit populated areas where rodents and songbirds are abundant.
Boas vary in color from brown to gray with irregular saddles down the entire dorsal body. Boas have very large curved teeth for grasping prey before constricting. The boa constrictor is the largest snake in Belize, attaining a length up to twelve feet.
Boas fee primarily on birds, rodents and small mammals. They also feed on lizards and iguanas. When threatened, a boa will hiss and strike. Although carrying no poison, a bite can be painful. A large femal may give birth to as many as fifty young at one time.
HABITAT: Rainforest, savanna, mangrove swamp
DISTRIBUTION: Countrywide and the offshore Cayes
FOOD: Small mammals, birds, reptiles
The boa constrictor, known as "wowla" in Belize, are found country-wide as well as on some of the offshore cayes. They will easily inhabit populated areas where rodents and songbirds are abundant.
Boas vary in color from brown to gray with irregular saddles down the entire dorsal body. Boas have very large curved teeth for grasping prey before constricting. The boa constrictor is the largest snake in Belize, attaining a length up to twelve feet.
Boas fee primarily on birds, rodents and small mammals. They also feed on lizards and iguanas. When threatened, a boa will hiss and strike. Although carrying no poison, a bite can be painful. A large femal may give birth to as many as fifty young at one time.