60% of the country is still covered in forest, the highest percentage in central America and the Caribbean. This perhaps explains why there are so much wildlife on the island. The treetops provide food for troops of black howler monkeys and crocodiles can be found lurking in lagoons and rivers. The Jaguar and Puma are native to Belize, as well as lesser known cats such as Margay and Ocelot, but as they are nocturnal creatures sightings are rare. 

While there are a variety of reasons that this country has so much biodiversity, part of the cause, is the fact that it lies midway between north and south America (on the land bridge between the two continents). It gained its independence from the UK in 1981, and is the only mainland South American country to be a member of the commonwealth.

There are over 8800 square miles of unhabituated land, which allows a great deal of space for wildlife. 

There are also 2 species of crocodile, American crocodile and the Morelett’s crocodile.

Below is a short video about the wildlife of the country, below that is a list of any articles that have appeared on the blog which mention this country. Finally, below that, we will include a link to any opportunities to see wildlife in the natural world in this country.