Polybia Wasps
You may have noticed elongated papery globes hanging from tree branches or palm leaves in the forest at BIB. Usually a pale tan or gray, these are nests built by tiny Polybia wasps over the course of several months.
A Gallery of BIB Rainforest Wildlife & Plants
Red Mushroom
This pretty little thing was growing from a rotten branch on the ground, and its flesh was fairly tough, the red surface velvety and smooth, the underside, as you can see, a bit rough but without gills (that bit is for mushroom folks).
Owl Butterfly
The most dominant feature of the Owl Butterfly is the large, very owlish eye marking on the undersides of its wings. But even if you only see one side, it’s easy to think SOMETHING is staring at you.
Central American Agouti
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One of the mammals you’re likely to see fairly frequently around Better in Belize is the Central American agouti (uh-GOO-tee). Locals call it guatusa (wa-TOO-suh).
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Green Iguana
We see green iguanas down along the Macal, where 5′ long orange males sun themselves in the trees overhanging the water along with smaller 2′-3′ females and juveniles.
Yellow-throated Euphonia
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A pretty little bird the size of a sparrow, the yellow-throated euphonia (yew-FO-nee-uh) is a pleasing little bird that doesn’t mind living close to people. It ranges from Mexico to Panama in tropical lowlands, drawn to second-growth forests, cool forest edges, and shady plantations.
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Ceiba Tree, Kapok Tree
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The Ceiba tree was the sacred Tree of Life in ancient Mayan culture, with roots going down into the Mayan Underground, the trunk representing the Middle, or visible, World on earth, and the canopy symbolized the Upper World of heaven. The conical spines on the trunk can be as much as an inch long.
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Leafcutter Ant
There are many species of leafcutter ants in the tropics, and they are a very important part of the forest ecosystem. They have no sting, but can bite if seriously annoyed. However, they don’t go looking for trouble so you can watch them close up without danger. They are fascinating!
Common Pauraque
You’ve probably only seen the Common Pauraque (por-AH-keh) as a black ghost with glaring red eyes, popping eerily up off the road in front of your vehicle as you drive in the dark down country roads. It’s waiting on that road or on a footpath or other open areas, ready to leap into flight to catch insects visible against the lighter road or the sky.
Breadfruit Tree
Breadfruit isn’t native to Central America, but was brought here by colonists who got it in the South Pacific, perhaps New Guinea, the Philippines, or somewhere between. In fact, Captain Bligh was on an expedition to collect breadfruit plants on the HMS Bounty in 1789 when he experienced the fabled Mutiny on the Bounty.