The Reserve Belize
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Flora and Fauna in Belize
The Reserve Belize covers 14,000 acres of land spread across five distinct ecosystems. Located near the banks of the Sittee River, The Reserve Belize is an eco-friendly development that maintains a commitment to preserving the local flora and fauna.
Roughly 70 percent of Belize is jungle, forest, or rain forest, and these areas contain more than 700 species of trees and plants. The country is notable for its population of logwood and mahogany. Both of these tree species were used to make dye in the past, and the country’s national tree is still the mahogany. Meanwhile, the rich soil found throughout Belize makes it easy to grow numerous fruit and nut trees, including coconut palm and mango.
Belize is also well known for its variety of indigenous orchids. More than 250 species of orchid grow naturally in the country, most notably the black orchid. And scientists estimate that over 4,000 indigenous flowering plants grow in Belize, including hibiscus and poinsettia.
In terms of fauna, Belize has at least five indigenous big cat species, including the ocelot and puma. Other mammals found within the country’s borders including howler monkeys, coatimundis, and kinkajous. The tapir, the national animal, thrives in Belize, despite having been classified as endangered.
Beyond that, Belize is home to over 500 species of birds, such as the blue-crowned motmot and spoonbills. It is also home to manatees, sea turtles, and several types of reptile.