belize
The tropical Central American country of Belize is home to five species of wild cat: jaguar, puma, ocelot, margay and jaguarundi.
These 5 species of cats have learned to co-exist in the same area by eating different prey and keeping out of each others way. Such a large variety of cats in such a small geographical area is amazing!
Each species plays a vital role in maintaining healthy prey density, with the smaller cats controlling rodent populations. Rodents carry diseases that can be transferred to humans and rodents eat a lot of plant life. If the rodent population were to skyrocket due to the absence of small wild cats, plant life would dwindle and diseases would run rampant.
Jaguar patrolling its territory
the Wild Cats of belize
Jaguar
Jaguar
Jaguar
The Jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest cat in the Americas and has the strongest bite force of all the wild cats.
You can learn more about the jaguar below.
Puma
Jaguar
Jaguar
The Puma (Puma concolor) is the second largest cat in the Americas and is highly adaptable, holding the record for the largest range of any land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, stretching from Canada to Chile.
You can learn more about the puma below.
Ocelot
Jaguar
Jaguarundi
The Ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) has a coat pattern of rosettes and some of the rosettes are close together to form chains. Their coat patterns are unique just like human finger prints.
You can learn more about the ocelot below.
Jaguarundi
Jaguarundi
Jaguarundi
The Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) is a slender weasel-like cat that is highly vocal, using up to 13 different calls.
You can learn more about the jaguarundi below.
Margay
Jaguarundi
Margay
The Margay (Leopardus wiedii) is a highly arboreal cat and the only wild cat that can climb down trees headfirst.
You can learn more about the margay below.
jaguar
Belize jaguar facts:
IUCN status: Near Threatened
Average length: 5-6' long
Average height: 2-2.5' high at shoulder
Average weight: 100-220 lbs
Main prey: armadillos, peccary, howler monkey, deer, turtles, agouti, gibnut, coatimundi
Habitat: jungle, edges of savannah, scrub brush
Main threats: land fragmentation, deforestation, roadkill, retaliatory killing
Conservation: The jaguar is protected throughout Belize and their numbers are thought ot be stable. A national effort is underway to protect its land so it isn't confined to small land pockets
puma
Belize puma facts:
IUCN status: Least Concern
Average length: 3-5' long (not including tail)
Average height: 2-2.5' high at shoulder
Average weight: 90-150 lbs
Main prey: deer, peccary, gibnut, coatimundi
Habitat: jungle, edges of savannah, scrub brush, pine forest
Main threats: land fragmentation, deforestation
Conservation: The puma is protected throughout Belize and their numbers are thought to be stable. The national jaguar land conservation effort helps to protect the puma too.
ocelot
Belize ocelot facts:
IUCN status: Least Concern
Average length: 2.5' long
Average height: 16-20" high at shoulder
Average weight: 20-30 lbs
Main prey: opossum, rodents, birds, reptiles
Habitat: jungle, edges of savannah, scrub brush
Main threats: land fragmentation, deforestation, roadkill, retaliatory killing
Conservation: The ocelot is protected throughout Belize and their numbers are thought to be stable. General conservation efforts in Belize help protect this species.
jaguarundi
Belize jaguarundi facts:
IUCN status: Least Concern
Average length: 1.5'-2' long
Average height: 16" high at shoulder
Average weight: 10-17 lbs
Main prey: rodents, birds, reptiles, insects
Habitat: jungle, edges of savannah, scrub brush
Main threats: land fragmentation, deforestation, roadkill, retaliatory killing
Conservation: The jaguarundi is protected throughout Belize and their numbers are thought to be stable. General conservation efforts in Belize help protect this species, with Belize Wild Cats actively conducting behavior research to improve conservation efforts.
margay
Belize margay facts:
IUCN status: Near Threatened
Average length: 1.5' long
Average height: 12-14" high at shoulder
Average weight: 4-11 lbs
Main prey: rodents, birds, reptiles, insects
Habitat: primarily dense jungle
Main threats: land fragmentation, deforestation, roadkill, retaliatory killing
Conservation: The margay is protected throughout Belize and their numbers are thought to be stable. General conservation efforts in Belize help protect this species, with Belize Wild Cats actively conducting behavior research to improve conservation efforts.
