TOUR GUIDE BELIZE ZOO - Mammals of Belize
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 points in the minds of your children. If you forgot to print your notes prior to leaving from your home country, simply ask guest services for a copy and they will be happy to provide you with one.
BELIZE ZOO
Mammals are a group of animals with backbones, bodies covered by hair, nurse their young with milk, and have a unique jaw articulation. Mammals are also the group of animals to which humans belong.
Belize has approximately 145 mammal species living within its boundaries. Mammals exist within all the different habitats of Belize, from the manatee and dolphins of the coastal zone, to the 5 different species of wildcat which live deep within the rain forests of the Maya Mountains.
The rain forest mammals of Belize tend to be very secretive and mostly nocturnal. This makes them extremely difficult to see. They usually see, hear, smell, or feel you long before you them. Rain forest 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. That is one reason the Belize Zoo is such a special place. Here you can see many of the rain forest species of Belize easily.
A visit to the zoo is the best way to get an introduction to the animals of Belize, and to understand why it is important to protect the habitats that sustain them. We hope this website will be the next best thing to visiting us in person.
Mammals included at the zoo are as follows: Jaguar, Margay, Ocelot, Coati, Gibut, Howler Monkey, Kinkanjou, Tapir.
The following describes each mammal that you will see at the zoo, plus many more.
Belize has approximately 145 mammal species living within its boundaries. Mammals exist within all the different habitats of Belize, from the manatee and dolphins of the coastal zone, to the 5 different species of wildcat which live deep within the rain forests of the Maya Mountains.
The rain forest mammals of Belize tend to be very secretive and mostly nocturnal. This makes them extremely difficult to see. They usually see, hear, smell, or feel you long before you them. Rain forest 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. That is one reason the Belize Zoo is such a special place. Here you can see many of the rain forest species of Belize easily.
A visit to the zoo is the best way to get an introduction to the animals of Belize, and to understand why it is important to protect the habitats that sustain them. We hope this website will be the next best thing to visiting us in person.
Mammals included at the zoo are as follows: Jaguar, Margay, Ocelot, Coati, Gibut, Howler Monkey, Kinkanjou, Tapir.
The following describes each mammal that you will see at the zoo, plus many more.
JAGUAR
SIZE
Length 6 feet + 30" tail Weight: 100 - 250 lbs. BREEDING Reach maturity at 3 years Mating: Non-seasonal Gestation: -100 days No. of Young: 1-4 cubs LIFESTYLE Habitat: Lowland Forest Solitary Food: Ground living mammals, fish, frogs, turles Lifespan: 22 years ?? |
Jaguars are found throughout Belize in the lowland forests and along the coasts. Adult jaguars are solitary and only come together for a short time to breed. The size of a jaguars territory depends on food availability. In a forest such as the Cockscomb Basin, a jaguar will roam over a territory of about 20 square kilometers.
Jaguars hunt mainly on the ground and mainly at night. Its food consists of everything from mice to birds to tapir. Its favorite food in Belize is probably the warrie, which lives in abundance throughout the Jaguar's habitat. Jaguars once lived throughout the Americas, from Arizona to the north of Argentina in the south. But hunting and forest clearing has reduced their numbers and forced them out of their habitat into interaction with man. Belize has one of the healthiest populations in Central America, and the jaguar is protected from hunting throughout Belize. ----------------------------------------------- Biggest cat in the country of Belize, locally, it is "El Tigre" in Spanish, "Tiger". Large tracks have rounded toe and foot pads. Jaguars are largely solitary, and prefer the dense rain forest as their habitat. Jaguars size and weight vary significantly, but males are generally about 124-211 pounds. It may travel alone or in pairs and is most active at night, as the jaguar is often described as a nocturnal animal. It eats mammals, birds, reptiles or fish, depending on availability. The jaguar's elusive nature and the inaccessibility of much of its preferred habitat make it a difficult animal to sight, let alone tudy. Jaguars are rarely seen by humans. The Cockscomb Basin WIldlife Sanctuary (Jaguar Reserve) was established specifically to protect this cat. |
MARGAY
SIZE
Length: 2 feet + 18" tall Weight: 20 lbs. BREEDING Reach Maturity: ? Mating: Non-seasonal Gestation: ? No. of Young: 1-2 cubs LIFESTYLE Habitat: Mature forests. Solitary. Food: Arboreal animals, birds, reptiles, insects Lifespan: ? Margays are probably the most nocturnal of all the cats of Belize. Known as the "tiger cat" in Belize, the Margay lives most of its life in the canopy of the tropical forests. This small cat is perfectly adaptedfor life in the trees - it is the only cat with ankle joints that can rotate sufficiently for it to climb headfirst down vertical trees. Being an excellent climber, the margay feeds on arboreal prey such as rats, squirrels, opossums, monkeys and birds. The margays are very secretive, and prefer the more remote and dense sections of forests in Belize. Because of this, margays are rarely seen. Margays do not adapt well to human disturbance of its habitat. This cat is listed as an endangered animal, though the status of its population throughout its range from Mexico to Argentina is unknown. Belize is thought to have one of the healthier populations of Margays in Central America. -------------------------- This species and the Ocelot are called "Tiger Cat" locally. The Margay is rather small and slim; the bushy tail is longer than the hind legs. Front and hind tracks are about the same size. This species is more arboreal than other cats and is found only in well forested regions. It east small climbing mammals and is most active at night. IT is seldom seen. |
OCELOT
SIZE
Lenght: 3 feet + 15" tal Weight: 35 lbs. BREEDING Reach Maturity: ? Mating: Non-seasonal Gestation: 70 days No. of Young: 2-4 cubs LIFESTYLE Habitat: Tropical forests. Solitary. Food: Ground-living mammals, fish, frogs, turtles Lifespan: ? 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, they stay hidden within the deepr bush. This is the most commonly 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 "tlalocelt", 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 ocelots are endangered species throughout their 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 Statyes banned importation of ocelot pelts in 1972. ---------------------- Large and stockier than a Margay; the narrow tail is shorter than the hind legs. Front tracks are broader than hind. This cat is mainly active at night but may be seen at dusk or dawn. It climbs well but hunts on the ground. Opossums and armadillos are its preferred foods in Belize. It favors forrest but also enters open areas with somce cover. It is the most commonly seen spotted cat. |
COATI
SIZE
Length: 2 feet + 24" tall Weight: 9 lbs. BREEDING Reach Maturity: ? Mating: Non-seasonal Gestation: 77 days No. of Young: 3-5 young LIFESTYLE Habitat: Wide-ranging: groups of 5-12 Food: fruit, insects, small animals Lifespan: 7 years The coatimundi, also known as the White-nosed Coati, is diurnal, living boath on the ground and in the trees. This member of the racoon family is omnivorous, feeding on fruits, invertebrates, and other small animals. They feed by using their long noses, poking them under rocks and into crevices, and using their long claws to dig holes or tear apart rotting logs. The coaiti often is seen in large groups of up to 30 individuals. When surprised, the entire group will leap into the trees while emitting clicking and explosive "woofs" type of sounds. During the night, coatis sleep in the tree tops in nests of leaves and branches. Coatimundis are found throughout Belize, from the mangrove forests of the coasts, the savannas of the lowlands, the dense tropical forest of the interior. They range all through Central America and are quite common in Belize. Locally in Belize, the coaiti is known as "quash". ------------- Long flexible muzzle and very long tail define the Coati or "Quash", a relative of the Raccoon. This species is diurnal and social, living in stable groups of 10-40 females and young. Males are solitary. Slowly waving tails are often one's first glimpse of Coatis feeding on the forest floor. If disturbed, one animal will give an alarm bark that causes the group to rush to the safety of nearby trees. They climb well and usualy sleep on high branches. Fairly common and easily seen. |
PACA
SIZE
Length: 2 feet Weight: 22 lbs. BREEDING Reach Maturity: ? Mating: ? Gestation: ? No. of Young: ? LIFESTYLE Habitat: Widespread, monogamous Food: Ground feeding, fruits, leaves, tubers Lifespan: ? The paca, known as the gibnut in Belize, is a nocturnal rodent. Inhabiting the forest floor, this solitary animal feeds on fallen fruit, leaves and some tubers dug from the ground. The gibnut is most often found near water and throughout many habitats of Belize, from river valleys to swamps to dense tropical forest. The gibnut is the most prized game animal of Belize and the NEotropics. They are easily hunted by day with dogs which can sniff out the paca's dens, or during the night with headlamps while they feed. While triving in Belize's many protected areas, the paca has been hunted to extinction in many parts of its range from Mexico to Souther Brazil. In many of Eblize's protected areas, gibnut can be heard and see at night. The large rodent makes lots of noise while walking through the dry leaves of the forest or while chewing on the hard shells of the cohune nut, one of its favorite foods. The gibnut also produces a hoarse bark or a deep rumbing when disturbed. --------------------- Large stocky and spotted, it is called "Gibnut" locally. It is strictly nocturnal and will freeze in a flashlight, its eyes reflecting a bright orange color. Found in most types of forest, it is usually seen near water or under fruiting trees. The Paca has specialized cheek bones that enable it to produce very loud, deep barks. By day it rests in burrows excavated in banks. Scarce and shy where hunted, it is common in many protected areas. |
BLACK HOWLER MONKEY
SIZE
Length: 2 feet + 30" tail Weight: 15 lbs. BREEDING Reach Maturity: 4 years Mating: Non-seasonal Gestation: -180 days No. of Young: 1 infant LIFESTYLE Habitat: Lowland forests, highly social Food: Fruit, leaves, flowers Lifespan: 20 years |
The Black Howler Monkey, known as the "baboon" in Belize, 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.
Black Howler Monkeys live 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. Baboons defnend 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. Howler monkeys are vegetarians, feeding on flowers, fruits, and leaves. Within Belize, a special community based conservation organization has protected land along the Belize River for the Howler, ensuring that their food trees are not destroyed to make way for pasture. This "Community Baboon Sanctuary" has supplied numerous animals for translocation throughout Belize, most successfully within the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. ----------------------- Fur entirely black, with a glossy blue sheen. The bearded male is larger than the female, This monkey is stocky and slow-moving. It lives in small groups of 2-6, eating fruit and leaves. Loud, rumbling calls are given by males mainly at dawn or dusk. Found throughout Belize, it is numerous and easily seen at the Community Baboon Sanctuary (its local name is "Baboon"), near Bermudian Landing, also at some Maya sites such as Lamanai. |
KINKAJOU
SIZE
Length: 1.5 feet + 18" tail Weight: 6.5 lbs. BREEDING Reach Maturity: ? Mating: Non-seasonal Gestation: ? No. of Young: 1 young LIFESTYLE Habitat: Lowland forests, solitary & pairs Food: fruit, insects, flowers Lifespan: 23 years |
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 fruits and insects. In the dry season of Belize, they often eat flowers for their nectar.
The kinkajou is extremely agile and fast, traveling quickly along the tree tops, jumping noisily from tree to tree. The long prehensile tails 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. The knkajoy ranges from Southern Mexico to Southern Brazil. They are found in a variety of habitats, from mature tropical forest to heavily disturbed and secondary forests. It is sometimes hunted for its meat and fur. ------------------------ The kinkajou is also known as the "honey bear". The kinkajous may be mistaken for ferrets or monkeys, but are not related. There are not endangered, though it is seldom seen by people because of its strict nocturnal habits. On average an adult male can weight between 4-7 pounds. Although the kinkajou is classified as a carnivor, with its sharp teeth, its omnivorous diet consists mainly of fruit (particularly wild figs). Some species will avidly eat honey, (hence the name "honey bear"). Scent glands near the mouth, on the throat, and on the belly, allow kinkajous to makr their territory and travel routes. Kinkajous sleep in family units and groom one another. While they are usually solitary when foraging, they occasionally forage in small groups, and sometimes associate with olingos. The kinjajou is a nocturnal animal, with most of its activity between 7:00 p.m. and midnight. Kinjajous breed throughout the year, giving birth to one or occasionally two small babies, after a gestation period of 112 to 118 days. Kinkajous are golden or gray-brown in color, with a prehensile tail. This is the most commonly seen nocturnal arboreal mammal in the area. It also carries the local name "Night Walker" for this reason. Its eyes reflect a bright orange in a flashlight, and it often sits and stares down at an observer. It has several calls including a fast, yapping bark in alarm. |
TAPIR
SIZE
Length: 6 feet Weight: 300-500 lbs. BREEDING Reach Maturity: 3 years Mating: Non-seasonal Gestation: 13 months No. of Young: 1 LIFESTYLE Habitat: Riverine forest Food: Riparian vegetation Lifespan: 22 years |
The tapir, known as the "mountain cow" in Belize are forest dwellers, active mostly at night as they forage along river banks and forest clearings. They feed on grasses, aquatic vegetation, leaves, buds, and fruits of the low-growing shrubs. They sometime run afoul of man when they cause damage to corn fields and other crops.
Tapirs are usually solitary except when mothers have young. They range over large territories and are excellent swimmers spending a fair amount of time in forest rivers. They are also agile climbers, crashing up steep hillsides and river banks with apparent ease. When surprised, tapirs generally head for water, but will sometimes stamp their feet loudly and sometmes whistle. The Bairds Tapir ranges from Souther Mexico to Northern Columbia and are endangered throughout their range. The main treats to the tapir survial is hunting and deforestation. ----------------------- The Tapir is the national animal of Belize. It is native to Central America. It is related to horses and rhinos, and is called locally, the "Mountain Cow". They are very large, with a trunk like noses. Tapir's usually grow to 6 feet in length and about 4 feet in height. Adults can weight up to 530-880 in pounds. They have four toes on each front foot and three toes on each back foot. The gestation period is approximately 400 days, after which one offspring is born. Tapirs can be active all hours, but is primarily nocturnal. The animal usually stays close to water and enjoys swimming and wading (especially on hot days) in and around watering holes. Tapirs lead generally a solitary life, and feed in groups of those of different ages. The animals communicate with one another through shrill whistles and squeaks. Tapir's were in danger of extinction in 1996, when it was officiallly classified as "Vulnerable". Hunting a Tapir in Belize is illegal. It browses on shrubs and low trees, often feeding along streams or rivers. It may be active by day or night, but avoids people and is hard to see, although the large tracks are conspicuous. |
ADDITIONAL MAMMALS OF BELIZE
NORTHERN TAMANDUA
Known locally as "Ant Bear", it has a distinctive black vest and golden limbs. The thick tail is a prehensile. It is active by day or night and is semi-arboreal. The female has a single baby that she carries on her back. The anteater is fairly common and easily seen both in rain forest and dry regions. Listen for the tearing sounds made as it rips into rotten wood in search of termites. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.
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FISHING BAT
Strikingly large bat with very long wings and huge feet. Orange or gray in color. It has a pungent odor, detectable as it flies by. This is the bat seen hunting over water at night, with a slow, birdlike flight. It uses echolocation to detect changes made by a fishing breaking the water surface, and catches prey by trawling with the feet. Large groups roost in hollow trees.
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FRUIT BAT
Large and stocky with a striped face and no tail. It eats figs and other fruit, often traveling several km each night between a fruiting tree and feeding roost. This species and other fruit-eating leaf-nosed bats are important seeddispersers as they carry seeds farther from the parent tree than do birds or monkeys. It roosts in hollow trees, caves, or among foliage.
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CENTRAL AMERICAN SPIDER MONKEY
There are at least five subspecies of spider monkies. Their arms are significantly longer than their legs, and it has a prehensile tail that can support the entire weight of the money and that is used as an extra limb. Spider monkeys live in groups of 10-40, moving rapidly and noisily through the canopy in search of fruit. Color varies,depending on the species. Males are slightly larger than females. Spider monkies live in the dense tropical forest canopies of Belize. Spider monkies eat mostly fruit, preferably ripe and fleshy, and spends 70-80% of its time feeding and eating fruit. Large cats appear to be the only significant predator to the sprider moneky. Due to deforestation, spider monkies have been listed as "Endangered", as it requires large tracts of primary forest to survive. Calls include growls, barks, and screams, and a repeated yap in alarm.
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COLLARD PECCARY
The species is also know as the musk hog or the Mexican hog. Piglike with a large head and slim legs. Young is paler than adult. It is distinguished from the White-lipped Peccary by its pale collar and dark lower jaw. It rests during the heat of the day, but may be seen abroad in the morning or afternoon and may also be active at night. It eats palm nuts, fruits, roots, tubers, grasses, invertebrates and seeds. They live in small groups of 1-20, and are usually seen (often part of a larger herd) and can be located by their strong rancid odor. Although they generally ignore humans, Collard Peccaries will react if they feel threatened. Collared Peccaries are fairly common and easily seen.
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WHITE LIPPED PECCARY
Similar to Collared Peccary but larger and darker. This species lives in huge groups (up to 200) that travel in the forest, bulldozing through the leaf litter for food. The "Wari", as it is called locally, can be dangerous as the large adults will vigorously defend their young. Clacking sounds made by snapping the canine teeth are used as a warning. It is rare and requires extensive wilderness to survive, but still occurs in remote parts of Belize.
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TAYRA
A large and long-legged weasel, it is called "Bushdog" locally. Farther south, its head is dark brown. It is usually active by day and travels alone or in family groups. On the ground it moves with a bouncy gait, back and tail arched, and will snort if alarmed. It climbs well and moves swiftly through the trees, where it feeds on fruit and small vertebrates.
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INDIAN MANATEE
The Manatee or "Sea Cow" is a large, heavy-bodied, aquatic mammal. A placid vegetarian, it moves slowly, feeding in shallow water of rivers and coastla lagoons. Often only the nostrils are visible as it surfaces to breathe. It sometimes rests in deep water with warm undercurrents, for example in Southern Lagoon, BElize has a good population of Manatees, although they are very rare in most of Central America.
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CENTRAL AMERICAN AGOUTI
Like a rabbit on stilts, its local name is "Forest Rabbit". It has three toes on the hind foot and leaves a birdlike track. It eats fruit and nuts and may be located by loud chewing sounds under fruiting trees. Agoutis pair for life but do not stay in close contact, so lone animals are often seen. If alarmed, they give a series of sharp, nasal barks or may drum with the forefeet. Active by day, this is one of the more easily seen mammals, especially in small protected areas such as Guanacaste Park.
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