Giant Red-winged Grasshopper Read More »
A fully grown Giant Red-winged Grasshopper is an awesome sight, especially on the wing. You might think you’ve seen a small red bird flying past, except for those long, trailing grasshopper legs.
It has seriously powerful legs lined with sharp spines, even in the nymphal stage.
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Cecropia, Trumpet Tree Read More »
The cecropia (see-CROW-pee-uh) tree, with its giant (up to 20″ across!) hand-like leaves is one of the more recognizable tropical trees in the Better in Belize Eco Community. The locals call it guarumo (gwah-ROO-mo) or trumpet tree. It is an important “pioneer tree species” in the rainforest, being one of the first trees to sprout up after a fire or where the earth is disturbed.
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Morpho butterflies are spectacular. The upper side of their 5″- 6″ wingspan is covered with shimmering iridescent scales that flash brilliant blue, then disappear for an instant as the undersides of its wings show cryptic brown with eyespots…then the blue sparkles again further along the trail…then disappears… flashes… disappears… etc.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 »