This is the same species of arboreal (tree-climbing) gray fox that roams across most of the US, but the gray fox in Belize is sleeker, paler, and appears longer-legged than its northern counterpart. It climbs trees to hunt for bird eggs and nestlings, ripe fruits, and insects.
Red-eyed treefrogs are THE iconic symbol of the rainforest, and we are lucky to still have an ecosystem which is intact enough to support them. This brilliantly colored treefrog almost disappears when it closes its shocking red eyes and tucks in its toes and legs for a nap.
Yellow-jaw Tommygoff, Terciopelo Read More »
You’re not likely to see a yellow-jaw since it’s nocturnal, but if you do, it will probably be in the road at night, which means that it’s smart to take along a flashlight on nocturnal walks.
Yellow-jaw Tommygoff, Terciopelo Read More »
Pale-billed Woodpecker Read More »
This large, 15″ long woodpecker is the tropical equivalent of the fabled extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker once found the US. It is a major presence in the rain forest of BIB, swooping between dead tree snags, searching for beetles and other insects it hears boring away beneath the surface.
Pale-billed Woodpecker Read More »
White-nosed Coatimundi Read More »
This is one of the more commonly-seen animals around BIB. Coatis (ko-AH-tees) are relatively bold, and since they have become accustomed to humans (TOO accustomed, really) they may hang around long enough for you to get a good look and maybe even take photos.
White-nosed Coatimundi Read More »
Golden Shower Orchid Read More »
Also called the Dancing Lady Orchid, this orchid can be found at BIB. It is an epiphyte, perching on tree trunks and getting moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and debris accumulating around it. Oncidium orchids are found in Florida, through Central and South America and the West Indies.
Golden Shower Orchid Read More »
Flor de Jamaica, Sorrell Read More »
This is technically not a Central American rain forest plant since it’s from tropical Africa. But it is a favorite drink of Belizeans (and BIBers), so it deserves an entry. Flor de Jamaica (that’s FLOR dey hah-MY-ka) flowers can be boiled to make a delicious red tea, hot or cold.
Flor de Jamaica, Sorrell Read More »
Mexican Red Rump Tarantula Read More »
Spiders aren’t everyone’s favorite creature, but they fill an important niche in the rain forest ecology. They ambush and eat insects, other spiders, centipedes and millipedes. They become victims to pesticides, though, when they eat prey killed by those pesticides.
Mexican Red Rump Tarantula Read More »
Banana plants may be found in many spots at Better in Belize. They’re easy to identify, even if they don’t have bananas on them, by their huge leaves which split repeatedly along the midrib of the leaf, giving it a tattered appearance.
Turnip-tailed Gecko Read More »
In the tropics the nocturnal Turnip-tailed Gecko is the invisible “bird” chirping up in living room rafters at night. Some say it chirps after nabbing a tasty moth, spider, or cockroach, and if that’s the case, more power to it. But it’s more likely that the chirps are used to establish and proclaim territories.
Turnip-tailed Gecko Read More »