What Will I See on the Belize Zoo Virtual Tour?
Welcome to Belize! Inspire EdVentures is excited to bring you to the Belize Zoo, showcasing Belize’s rare and beautiful animals with the Zoo’s wildlife and conservation professionals. We hope you enjoy your EdVenture to the Belize Zoo, the best little zoo in the world!
A jaguar at the Belize Zoo. Photo by Inspire EdVentures.
About the Zoo
The Belize Zoo is a home to dozens of species, all native to Belize! Each zoo resident has a unique story; many were taken in due to injuries or illness, while others were rescued from the illegal pet trade. Some animals, like Chiqui the jaguar and Archie the tamandua, were found orphaned in the wild and raised by Belize Zoo caretakers! Unable to be re-released, these animals become ambassadors for their species, teaching the public about the wonderful wildlife of Belize.
The Belize Zoo is a home for animals both endangered, like the Central American scarlet macaw, and common, like the keel-billed toucan. The zoo runs a dedicated conservation program; in fact, only a portion of the zoo’s residents are able to be viewed by visitors. Species include a wide variety of birds, reptiles, and mammals, from rodents such as the gibnut to powerful wild cats like the jaguar.
Animals at the Belize Zoo are not trained performers. Depending on weather or time of day, some may be more active than others, and we cannot guarantee that all animals will be seen on a single tour. Feel free to visit our YouTube Channel for past tour highlights to see any animals you may have missed, or consider a Belize Zoo Night Tour for a closer look at Belize’s nocturnal animals!
Tapir
The Central American tapir (Tapirus bairdii) is the national animal of Belize. These large, herbivorous mammals are dark gray in color and can weigh well over over 600 pounds (up to 300 kg!). They are easily distinguished by their short, prehensile snout, which they use to forage for fruits and vegetation.
Indy, a tapir at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
Spider Monkey
The Yucatan spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi yucatanensis) is one of two primate species found in Belize. These intelligent, mischievous monkeys live in troops that, in the wild, can contain thirty or more individuals! Unfortunately, their small size and curious nature makes spider monkeys common targets of the pet trade, which is dangerous for both the monkeys and the humans in contact with them. Many of the Belize Zoo’s spider monkeys are rescued from being kept illegally as pets.
Spider monkeys at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
Scarlet Macaw
The Central American scarlet macaw (Ara macao cyanoptera) is the largest parrot species in Belize! These beautiful, vibrantly colored birds are endangered in the wild through a combination of habitat loss and illegal poaching for the pet trade. The Central American subspecies, which was recognized in 1995, is distinguished from the more common South American subspecies (Ara macao macao) by color variations on its wings.
Ranger, a scarlet macaw at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
King Vulture
The king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa) is distinguished by its bright coloration, in contrast to other vulture species who are typically gray or brown. Like other vultures, king vultures eat carrion; though this may seem distasteful, it is an important part of the ecosystem! Vultures are an essential part of nature’s “cleanup crew,” and their stomach acid can even break down bones.
Max, a king vulture at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
Keel-Billed Toucan
The keel-billed toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) is the national bird of Belize! These toucans are identified by their large, multicolored bills, yellow-green head and throat feathers, and loud, distinctive calls. Keel-billed toucans are a common sight in Belize, and can be found in the rainforest canopy in flocks of up to a dozen individuals.
A keel-billed toucan at the Belize Zoo. Photo by Inspire EdVentures.
A keel-billed toucan showing off its distinctive call. Video by Inspire EdVentures.
Brown Pelican
The brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a species of pelican found along the coasts of North America, Central America, and South America, including the United States and Belize! They are large birds, with wingspans of up to 7 feet (2.1 meters), and feed almost entirely on fish. The brown pelicans of the Belize Zoo were rescued after injuries to their wings left them unable to fly.
Brown pelicans at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
Harpy Eagle
The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is one of the largest eagle species in the world! These raptors have wingspans of up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) and talons 4 inches (10 cm) long, rivaling the length of a grizzly bear’s claws. Unfortunately, the harpy eagle’s population is declining throughout its range, largely due to habitat loss. The Belize Zoo, through the Belize Harpy Eagle Restoration Program (BHERP), has led conservation efforts to protect this species.
Panama, a harpy eagle at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
White-Nosed Coati
The white-nosed coati (Nasua narica), also known as the coatimundi, is a diurnal (daytime), omnivorous mammal found from the southern United States to northern South America. As their striped tails may suggest, coatis are closely related to raccoons! They are very social animals and can be found in groups of between 10 and 30 individuals.
White-nosed coatis at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
Collared Peccary
The collared peccary (Dicotyles tajacu), also known as the javelina, is a small, pig-like mammal found from the southern United States to northern Argentina. They are named for the light-colored ring around their necks, and live in herds of up to 30 individuals! Collared peccaries are most notable for their powerful smell, often compared to that of a skunk, which they use to mark their territories in the wild.
Collared peccaries at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
Jaguarundi
The jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi), also known as the otter cat or weasel cat, is one of five wild cat species in Belize! It is the second-smallest, larger only than the nocturnal margay. Jaguarundis are diurnal and live in social groups, communicating to one another in unique chirps, growls, and whistles.
Jaguarundis at the Belize Zoo. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
Ocelot
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a medium-sized wild cat found from Mexico to Argentina, with a very small population in the southern United States. Ocelots are around 3 feet (1 meter) in length, with beautiful spotted coats, much like miniature jaguars! Though they can sometimes be seen during the day, ocelots are mostly nocturnal hunters, and are largely solitary. Once hunted for their spotted pelts, ocelots are now protected from hunting and the fur trade by many countries throughout their range.
An ocelot at the Belize Zoo. Photo by Inspire EdVentures.
A wild ocelot in Belize, taken by an Inspire EdVentures trail camera.
Puma
The puma (Puma concolor), also known as the cougar or mountain lion, is the second-largest wild cat in the Americas! Their range extends from Canada all the way to southern Argentina, and they can be found in a variety of habitats from coniferous forests to Belize’s rainforests and savanna. As the top predators of the rainforest, pumas are often in competition with Belize’s largest wild cat, the jaguar.
A puma at the Belize Zoo. Photo by Inspire EdVentures.
A wild puma in Belize, taken by an Inspire EdVentures trail camera.
Jaguar
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest wild cat in the Americas! Though jaguars in Central America tend to be slightly smaller than those in South America, the jaguar remains the top predator of Belize’s rainforests. Their prey includes many other species found at the Belize Zoo, such as gibnuts, deer, and even tapirs! These regal felines have the most powerful bite of any wild cat in the world, and their beautiful coat patterns are unique to each individual. The Belize Zoo is home to over a dozen rescued and rehabilitated jaguars, though only a select few ambassadors are exhibited for public view.
Chiqui, a jaguar at the Belize Zoo, beside Belize Zoo Conservation Director, Jamal Andrewin-Bohn. Photos by Inspire EdVentures.
A jaguar in the wild, captured by an Inspire EdVentures trail camera.
Learn more about the Inspire EdVentures Jaguar Identification Project here!
And More!
The Belize Zoo is home to many more animals! Each zoo tour is unique, and many include additional species to those listed above. Visit here to learn more about Belize’s native animals – you never know who might show up on a tour!
Interested in Nocturnal Animals?
Belize is home to many nocturnal species, including the margay, gibnut, spectacled owl, kinkajou, fer-de-lance, and more! Inspire EdVentures offers virtual night tours of the Belize Zoo to showcase these amazing species unavailable during the day. Learn more about Belize’s nocturnal animals and book a night tour with us today!
Kayla is a biologist and science writer specializing in ecology and conservation. She is a graduate from North Carolina State University and project manager for Inspire EdVentures since 2020.