Belize “cliff notes” – Our Fauna (Wildcats)

Prevalent in Belize’s forests, jaguars are stealthy creatures that you probably won’t see outside of the zoo, although if you are near their habitats you’ll see tracks and the remains of their meals. Jaguars were highly endangered – due to game hunting and deforestation –  up until the 1980′s when they became protected. While efforts to revive their population have been successful in the Cockscomb, the healthiest jaguar population lives in the forests around Rio Bravo. The spotted ringed Jaguar can grow to over 6 feet and weigh up to 250 lbs.

The mid-sized Ocelot is the wildcat that closest resembles the Jaguar.

Smaller wildcats – ocelot, puma, mountain lion, jaguarundi and margay – are also present in Belize bush. The spaniel sized ocelot and the house cat sized margay most closely resemble the Jaguar. The puma (just smaller than a Jaguar) and its mid-sized cousin the Jaguarundi are tan or grayish cats.